Systems, devices, and methods for treating vestibular conditions

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are described herein that provide a vibratory device that can apply a vibratory signal to a portion of a head of a user such that the vibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of the user and cause a portion of the vestibular system to move in a manner equivalent to that of a therapeutically effective vibratory signal applied to an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user. The vibratory device can be associated with frequencies less than 200 Hz. The vibratory device can be effective at treating a physiological condition associated with the vestibular system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/481,457, filed Apr. 7, 2017, entitled “Devices and Methodsfor Reducing the Symptoms of Maladies of the Vestibular System” (“the'457 application”), which in turn claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/421,708, filed Nov. 14, 2016, entitled “Devices andMethods for Treating Motion Sickness” (“the '708 application”). Thisapplication also claims priority to and the benefit of the '708application. The disclosures of the '457 application and the '708application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/629,197, filed Feb. 12, 2018,entitled “Methods and Devices for Treating the Proprioceptive VestibularSystem,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

This application also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/629,213, filed Feb. 12, 2018,entitled “Methods and Devices for Reducing Motion Sickness in VirtualReality and Travel Applications,” the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Disclosed embodiments relate to systems, devices, and methods fortreating conditions such as, for example, motion sickness, dizziness,vertigo, migraines, and loss of consciousness, associated with avestibular system of a subject. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to devices capable of generating vibratory signalsthat can affect a subject's vestibular system.

BACKGROUND

Orientation, balance, position, and movement of a body can be determinedby the brain through a combination of signals received from variousparts of anatomy, including eyes, ears, and muscles. For example, thevestibular system, in most mammals, is the sensory system thatpredominantly contributes sensory information related to balance andspatial orientation. The vestibular system of a subject is found in theinner ear of the subject, as shown in FIG. 1A, in a system ofinterconnected compartments forming the vestibular labyrinth.

FIG. 1A illustrates a portion of the anatomy of a subject 100, showingthe vestibular system with respect to an external ear 110, portions of askull 114, and bony portion of an ear 116, an ear canal 111, an ear drum112, and the bones of a middle ear 113. The vestibular system includessemicircular canals 122, 124, and 126, and otolith organs 128 and 130,housed within a vestibule 121 in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear,and is continuous with a cochlea 120. FIG. 1B provides a more detailedillustration of the vestibular system shown in FIG. 1A, depicting thevestibule 121 to include a utricle 128 and a saccule 130.

The three semicircular canals 122, 124, and 126 are each oriented in aplane along one of three directions in which the head can rotate or moveand detect motion in that direction, the directions being noddingup-down, shaking left-right, and tilting left-right. The otolith organswithin the vestibule of the inner ear 121 detect gravitational forcesand acceleration in the forward and backward directions. The otolithorgans include the utricle 128 that detects movements in the horizontalplane and the saccule 130 that detects movements in the vertical plane.The semicircular canals 122, 124, and 126, and the otolith organs 128and 130 are filled with endolymph, a fluid that moves with the movementof the head or body.

The movement of endolymph in the vestibular system of the inner ear canbe sensed by nerve cells with hair bundles to determine movement andorientation of the head. Portions called ampula in the semicircularcanals and macula in the otolith organs include hair cells, whichfunction as the sensory receptors of the vestibular system and includehair bundles or stereocilia that detect and transduce movement of theendolymph into signals of body movement and report the signals to thebrain. The otolith organs also include a layer of crystals of calciumcarbonate called otoconia or otoliths that shift in response to changesin acceleration (e.g., changes in motion or orientation with respect togravity) leading to movement in the layers below the otoconia and themovement of hair bundles. Additionally, otoliths sink in the directionof gravity and pull on bundles of hair cells to aid in distinguishingdirections, e.g., up from down.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide detailed views of the anatomy of the macula inthe otolith organs (e.g., the utricle 128 and the saccule 130 shown inFIG. 1B) and the sensory receptors, in an upright state and in a stateof movement, respectively. FIG. 2A shows the macula including anotolithic membrane 132 and a cellular layer including hair cells 134 andsupporting cells 136. The hair cells 134 include hair like projectionsor stereocilia 132 that extend into one or more gelatinous layers. Theorganization of the macula also includes a layer of otoconia or otoliths138 that shift in response to movement in the endolymph and/or toacceleration of the body. FIG. 2A shows the hair cells 134 and theotoliths 138 in an upright configuration, and FIG. 2B shows the haircells 134 and the otoliths 138 in a displaced or angled configurationwhen a directional force 140 (e.g. gravity) acts on the otoliths 138.Similarly, movement of the endolymph within the semicircular canals 122,124, and 126, can result in movement of the hair cells within the ampulaof the semicircular canals (not shown) perceiving and signaling relativemovement of the body and/or head (e.g., angular acceleration of thehead).

In addition to signals from the vestibular system, horizontal andvertical visual patterns received by the eyes can affect perception oforientation, balance, and position; and differential strain on opposingneck muscles can affect perception of head position and orientation.When signals from these sources do not match, an individual can developmotion sickness, experience vertigo, dizziness, vestibular migraines,unconsciousness, or other conditions. Unmatched orientation, balance,position and movement signals can be the result of extreme or unfamiliarmovement during, for example, travel in cars, trains, airplanes, andother modes of transportation. Unmatched signals may also result fromsimulated perceived movement during, for example, three dimensional (3D)movies, 3D video games, and virtual reality devices. Therefore, it canbe desirable to have a device for treating various vestibular conditionsthat may result from unmatched signals being received from a subject'svestibular system, eyes, or other anatomy.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and methods described herein can include a vibratory deviceconfigured to apply a vibratory signal to a portion of a head of a usersuch that the vibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibularsystem of the user and cause a portion of the vestibular system to movein a manner equivalent to that of a therapeutically effective vibratorysignal applied to an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user. Thetherapeutically effective vibratory signal can (1) have a frequency lessthan 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and 100 dB re 1 dyne and (2)being therapeutically effective to treat a physiological conditionassociated with the vestibular system.

Apparatus and methods are described herein can, in some embodiments,include a vibratory device configured to apply a set of vibratorysignals to a portion of a head of a user such that the set of vibratorysignals can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of the user totreat a physiological condition associated with the vestibular system.The vibratory device can be associated with a set of resonantfrequencies including a lowest resonant frequency that is less than 200Hz. The set of vibratory signals can collectively have an amount ofpower at the lowest resonant frequency that is greater than an amount ofpower at remaining resonant frequencies from the set of resonantfrequencies.

In some embodiments, apparatus described herein can include a vibratingelement configured to apply a vibratory signal to a portion of a head ofa user such that the vibratory signal can be conducted via bone to avestibular system of the user to treat a physiological conditionassociated with the vestibular system. The vibrating element can beconfigured to include a housing defining a chamber, a magnet movablewithin the chamber to produce the vibratory signal, a suspension elementconfigured to suspend the magnet at a position within the chamber, and acoil configured to generate a magnetic field to cause the magnet to moveabout the position.

Methods disclosed herein include positioning a vibratory device over anarea of a head of a user, and energizing the vibratory device, after thepositioning, to apply a vibratory signal to the area such that thevibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of theuser. The vibratory signal can be configured to cause a portion of thevestibular system to move in a manner equivalent to that of a vibratorysignal (1) applied to an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user andhaving (2) a frequency less than 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and100 dB re 1 dyne. The methods can further include treating, in responseto energizing the vibratory device, a physiological condition associatedwith the vestibular system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an anatomy of a subject, including a bony labyrinthof an inner ear housing a vestibular system.

FIG. 1B provides a detailed illustration of the vestibular system andthe cochlea, within the bony labyrinth of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a portion of a macula of theotolith organs shown in FIG. 1B, in an upright state and in a state ofexperiencing a directional force, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a placement of a vibratory deviceto apply vibratory signals to the vestibular system, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of an example system for treatingsymptoms associated with vestibular conditions, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of an example system for treatingsymptoms associated with vestibular conditions, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example vibratory device of asystem for treating symptoms associated with vestibular conditions,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cut-away view of an examplevibratory device of a system for treating symptoms associated withvestibular conditions, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of avibratory device in a system for treating symptoms associated withvestibular conditions, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of thevibratory device in FIG. 7A integrated into a physical platform forplacement on a subject, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of avibratory device in a system for treating symptoms associated withvestibular conditions, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring as a suspension element of avibratory device in a system for treating symptoms associated withvestibular conditions, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 9B and 9C are illustrations of a top view and a bottom view,respectively, of the spring in FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10-15 are schematic illustrations of example vibratory devicesincluding and/or integrated into different support elements, accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a human skull, indicating examplelocations for the placement of a vibratory device in a system fortreating symptoms associated with vestibular conditions, according tovarious embodiments.

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict two example waveforms that can be used toenergize a vibratory device in a system for treating symptoms associatedwith vestibular conditions, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example energizing profile that can be used toenergize a vibratory device in a system for treating symptoms associatedwith vestibular conditions, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example method for using a vibratory deviceto treat symptoms associated with vestibular conditions.

FIG. 20A is a flowchart of a procedure of a study that was conducted totest a vibratory device for treating symptoms associated with vestibularconditions.

FIG. 20B is a schematic illustration of a static view of an examplevisual stimulus used in the procedure depicted in FIG. 20A to test thevibratory device.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict results from the study procedure depicted inFIG. 20A for testing the vibratory device at different force levels.

FIGS. 22A and 22B depict results from the study procedure depicted inFIG. 20A for testing a vibratory device at different frequencies.

FIGS. 23A and 23B depict data associated with a questionnaire completedby subjects of a study conducted to test a vibratory device for treatingsymptoms associated with vestibular conditions, using a test procedure,in yet another instance.

FIG. 24 depicts results from a study conducted to test a vibratorydevice for treating symptoms associated with vestibular conditions,using a test procedure, in yet another instance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and methods are described herein for treating vestibularconditions by using a vibratory device capable of generating vibratorysignals and applying the vibratory signals via bone conduction to avestibular system of a subject such that the vibratory signals candisrupt an anatomy of the subject's vestibular system.

As described above, sensory signals from a vestibular system of asubject aid in the perception of orientation, balance, position, andmovement of a body of the subject. In addition to signals from thevestibular system, other sensory modalities, such as visual signals fromthe eyes, can affect perceptions of orientation, balance, and position;and differential strain on opposing neck muscles can affect perceptionsof head position and orientation. When signals from these varioussensory sources such as the vestibular system, the visual system, andthe proprioceptive system do not match, an individual can developconditions like motion sickness, vertigo, dizziness, vestibularmigraines, unconsciousness, or other conditions. For example, unmatchedorientation, balance, position, and movement signals can result fromextreme or unfamiliar movement during, for example, travel in cars,trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation, or result fromexperiencing virtual or augmented 3D environments such as 3D movies, 3Dvideo games, virtual reality devices, etc.

In a natural adaptive response, a brain can ignore sensory informationin signals that are chaotic, repetitive or not novel, or unintelligible.For example, it has been shown that vibrations from sound can affect thevestibular organs in the inner ear and decrease response (e.g., anamplitude of electrical signals) in the cerebellum. See H. Sohmer etal., “Effect of noise on the vestibular system—Vestibular evokedpotential studies in rats,” 2 Noise Health 41 (1999). Nonetheless, thesame studies have shown that very high intensities are required in orderfor sound to affect the vestibular system. Thus, traditional headphones,earphones, and speakers, used to produce sound from generating vibratorysignals in the air, are limited in their ability to treat symptoms likemotion sickness response, vertigo, vestibular migraines, and otherphysiological responses. Many of these technologies are not designed todeliver high intensity signals. Moreover, such high intensity signalsmay harm or disrupt human hearing.

As an alternative to using sound, mechanical vibrations can be used toaffect the vestibular system to therapeutically treat variousconditions. One technology that can be used to create mechanicalvibrations is a surface or bone conduction transducer. Presentlyavailable bone conduction transducers, however, have certain drawbacksassociated with treating symptoms or conditions of the vestibularsystem. For example, existing devices often have significantlimitations, such as production of a significant amount of heat and/oraudible noise, which can prevent their use in direct contact with aperson's skin or in close proximity to a person's ear. Many existingdevices are also large and bulky, which make them impractical for useunder circumstances where the therapeutics effects are needed, such as,for example, during travel, while reading, while using a virtual realitydevice, etc.

Existing devices, such as a surface or bone conduction transducer, areinefficient at producing low frequency vibrations. Many producevibratory signals at high frequencies that are audible and thereforedistracting. Accordingly, when such devices are used close to a person'sear, the noise they create can be disruptive and irritating. Manyexisting devices produce high frequency vibrations in large part due topower being directed to higher, resonant frequencies instead of thelower, fundamental frequency of a vibratory signal being generated bysuch a transducer. Even when designed to produce low frequencyvibrations, existing bone conduction transducers may be inefficientbecause they produce a large spectrum of frequencies (e.g., frequenciesat many harmonics) when the lower frequencies are the ones that areneeded. Accordingly, disclosed systems and methods are directed to thetreatment of symptoms associated with conditions of the vestibularsystem that do not produce a high level of heat or audible noise, andhave high efficiency in delivering lower frequency vibratory signals,among other features.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the placement of a vibratory device 200near an external ear 110 of a subject. The vibratory device 300 can beconfigured to apply vibratory signals 202 conducted via bone to treatone or more symptoms or conditions associated with the subject'svestibular system. A portion 204 of the vibratory signals 202 can beconducted via bone 116 to the bony labyrinth of the inner ear and to thevestibular system. For example, the portion 204 of the vibratory signalstravels though the bone to the semicircular canals 122, 124, and 126 andthe vestibule 121 housing the otolith organs, the utricle and thesaccule.

The vibratory device 200 can be positioned such that vibratory signalscan be applied to the vestibule 121 to cause the hair cells in theotoliths organs in the vestibule 121 and the semicircular canals 122,124, and 126 to move in a repetitive, chaotic, or noisy manner toreduce, mitigate, or treat symptoms associated with vestibularconditions. Some example vestibular conditions can include various typesof motion sickness (e.g., sea sickness, air sickness, car and trainsickness, sickness from exposure to virtual reality or simulators,sickness from experiences such as rides on a roller coaster, and effectsof sopite syndrome), vertigo such as benign paroxysmal positionalvertigo, nausea from a variety of causes (e.g., vestibular systemtesting including caloric electronystagmography (ENG)/videonystagmography (VNG) testing, head impulse testing, vestibular evokedmyogenic potential (VEMP) testing such as cervical VEMP and ocular VEMPtesting, functional gait assessment, etc., or arising from conditionssuch as chemotherapy, radiotherapy of a base of the skull, nausearelated to pregnancy, nausea from alcohol or poison consumption, etc.),infection, vestibular neuritis, vestibular schwannoma, Meniere'sdisease, migraines, Mal de Debarquement syndrome, spatial discordance,sopite syndrome, etc.

The vibratory device 200 can also be positioned, as described herein, toprovide vibratory signals conducted via bone to treat other conditions,including, for example, dizziness, loss of balance, etc. caused bycirculatory problems (e.g., orthostatic hypotension (drop in bloodpressure), poor blood circulation from cardiomyopathy, heart attack,arrhythmia, transient ischemic attack), neurological conditions (e.g.,Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis), medications (e.g.,anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, bloodpressure lowering medications), anxiety disorders, anemia due to lowiron levels, hypoglycemia (lowered blood sugar), overheating,dehydration, and traumatic brain injury. The vibratory signal can causea portion of the vestibular system to move in a manner equivalent tothat of a therapeutically effective vibratory signal to treat the abovedescribed conditions. Moreover, the vibratory device 200 can be used toassist pilots such as, for example, to train pilots to ignore or rejecttheir vestibular system under specific conditions. The vibratory device200 can also be used as a stroke diagnostic.

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an example system 350 for treatingvestibular conditions. The system 350 includes a vibratory device 300and a control unit 360 coupled to the vibratory device 300 foractivating and/or controlling the operation of the vibratory device 300.The vibratory device 300 can be an electro-mechanical transducerconfigured to generate vibratory signals when driven and energized byappropriate electrical signals from a signal source. The control unit360 can include a memory 362, a processor 364, and an input/output (I/O)device 366 for receiving and/or sending electrical signals to and/orfrom other components of system 350. The vibratory device 300 can beconfigured to receive and/or send electrical signals to the control unit360. Optionally, the system 350 can include a sensor 390 for measuringvoltage, current, impedance, movement, acceleration, or other dataassociated with the vibratory device 300. The sensor 390 can also beconfigured to measure information associated with a vestibular system VSof a subject and/or other body metrics (e.g., temperature, skinconductivity, etc.). The sensor 390 can receive and send signals to thecontrol unit 360, the vibratory device 300, and/or the vestibular systemVS. The system 350 can include a signal generator 370 and/or anamplifier 380. The signal generator 370 can generate one or more signalsthat drive the vibratory device 300 to vibrate to produce vibratorysignals. The amplifier 380 can be operatively coupled to the signalgenerator 370 and can amplify the signals from the signal generator 370prior to the signals being used to drive the vibratory device 300. Thecontrol unit 360 can control the operation of the signal generator 370and/or the amplifier 380.

In some embodiments, the signal generator 370, the amplifier 380, and/orthe sensor 390 can be integrated with and/or form part of the controlunit 360. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the signal generator 370,the amplifier 380, and/or the sensor 390 can be separate from butoperatively coupled to the control unit 360. In some embodiments, thevibratory device 300 can include one or more of the control unit 360,the signal generator 370, the amplifier 380, or the sensor 390.

In some embodiments, the control unit 360 is operable to storespecialized instructions for controlling the vibratory device 300. Suchinstructions may be stored in memory 362 or in a separate memory. Inaddition, such instructions can be designed to integrate specializedfunctions and features into the controller to complete specificfunctions, methods and processes related to treating vestibularconditions disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the control unit 360may be programmed with the instructions using a software developmentkit.

Electrical signals to control the vibratory device 300 may be generatedby the control unit 360 based on the stored instructions. Theseelectrical signals may be communicated between the control unit 360 andvibratory device 300 through wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth)methods. The electrical signals may include a stored pattern ofoperation, e.g., the stored instructions accessed by the controller maybe used by the controller to generate a series of electrical signalsthat are sent to the vibratory device 300 to cause the vibratory device300 to turn “on” or “off” in a pattern that is advantageous to aspecific subject based on usage data that has been collected,accumulated, and stored for that user. One pattern may involve a seriesof vibratory signals where the number of vibratory signals generated andapplied over a time period (e.g., per minute) to a subject may bevaried, while a second pattern may include a series of vibratory signalswhere the force level in a number of vibratory signals may be varied.Other types of control signals, such as those that may be used tocontrol the force level and frequency of vibratory signals generated bythe vibrating device 300, may be sent to the vibrating device 300 fromthe control unit 360 based on data received from sensors (e.g., sensor390 or other sensors). For example, an acceleration sensor may beincluded in a portable electronic device (e.g., mobile phone) to sensechanges in a user's physical acceleration. In an embodiment, the controlunit 360 may be operable to receive data from the acceleration sensorindicating a type of acceleration that may lead to motion sickness.Accordingly, after receiving such data, the control unit 360 may beoperable to generate associated electrical signals and send such signalsto the vibrating device 300. The vibrating device 300, in turn, may beoperable to receive such electrical signals and generate vibratorysignals that can be conducted via bone and applied to the vestibularsystem to, for example, pre-emptively account for motion sickness. Thevibratory signals can cause a portion of the vestibular system to movein a manner equivalent to that of a therapeutically effective vibratorysignal. For example, the vibratory signals can cause a portion of thevestibular system (e.g. the hair bundles forming the receptors in thesemicircular canals and/or the otolith organs) to move in a randommanner simulating a noisy vestibular signal or a noisy vestibularsensation. In some instances, such noisy vestibular sensations caninduce a reduction in the effects caused by other vestibular signals ora mismatch in signals perceived by a subject. Alternatively, a storedroadmap that represents a path or course that has previously resulted ina user becoming sick due to motion sickness may be stored in the controlunit 360 or in the portable device along with a suitable positioningsystem such as, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo,GLONASS, or Beidou. In some embodiments, as the positioning systemindicates that the user is moving along the path or course and arrivesat a position that may induce motion sickness, the control unit 360 maybe operable to generate associated electrical signals and send suchsignals to the vibrating device 300. The vibrating device 300, in turn,may be operable to receive such electrical signals and generatevibratory signals that can be conducted via bone and applied to thevestibular system to, for example, pre-emptively account for motionsickness before the user reaches the position, for example.

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates another example system 350′ fortreating vestibular conditions, according to an embodiment. The system350′ can be similar to the system 350, in that it includes a controlunit 360 and a vibratory device 300 coupled to and energized and/orcontrolled by the control unit 360. Additionally, the system 350′ canhave a second vibratory device 300′, also coupled to the control unit360, whose activation can be controlled by the control unit 360. Thecontrol unit 360 can be configured to control the vibratory devices 300and 300′, such that vibratory signals generated by the vibratory devices300 and 300′ can be delivered simultaneously, alternatingly, and/orindependently. While not depicted in FIG. 4B, similar to the system 300depicted in FIG. 4A, system 350′ can optionally include a signalgenerator (e.g., signal generator 370) coupled to the control unit 360,an amplifier (e.g., amplifier 380) coupled to the signal generator,and/or a sensor (e.g., sensor 390). In some embodiments, the twovibratory devices 300, and 300′ can be coupled to a balance 382 that isconfigured to distribute signals generated by a signal generator andoptionally amplified by an amplifier between the vibratory devices 300and 300′. In some embodiments, the vibratory devices 300 and 300′ can becoupled to each other and configured to send and/or receive signals fromeach other. While two vibratory devices 300 and 300′ are depicted inFIG. 4B, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that anynumber of vibratory devices can be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example vibratory device 400,according to an embodiment. The vibratory device 400 includes a body (ora housing) 410 that can define one or more chambers. The body 410 housesa vibratory element 423, a suspension element 420, a driving circuit440, and a delivery interface 430. The vibratory element 423 isconfigured to be suspended by the suspension element 420 and driven bythe driving circuit 440 to move (e.g. oscillate or vibrate) to producethe vibratory signal. The vibratory element 423 can be suspended withinthe body (e.g. in a chamber) such that the vibratory element 423 canvibrate about an equilibrium position. The movement of the vibratoryelement 423 can be with respect to the suspension element 420 and/or thebody 410 of the vibratory device 400 to produce vibratory signals thatcan be directed via the delivery interface 430 to treat one or morevestibular conditions as disclosed herein. The vibratory device 400and/or the body 410 of the vibratory device 400 can be positioned on ahead of a subject with the delivery interface 430 on or against a targetarea TA such that the vibratory signals produced by the movement of thevibratory element 423 can be applied to the target area TA, which canthen be conducted via a bone structure BS to a vestibular system VS ofthe subject.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the vibratory device 400 can include anonboard power source 414 to provide power to components of the vibratorydevice 400, and a sensor 416 to sense one or more signals from a portionof the vibratory device 400, the vestibular system VS, or anotherportion of the body (e.g., a portion of the body against which thegenerated vibratory signals are applied such as, for example, the targetarea TA or skin adjacent to and/or associated with the target area TA).In some embodiments, a remotely situated power source (e.g., a powersource contained in control unit 360) can be used to power the vibratorydevice 400. In some embodiments, a remote sensor (e.g., a sensor 390)can be used to sense signals from a portion of the vibratory device 400,the vestibular system VS, or another portion of the body (e.g., aportion of the body against which the generated vibratory signals areapplied).

The sensor 416 can be configured to measure and/or record informationassociated with the vibratory device 400 and/or the subject (e.g., thevestibular system VS, the target area TA, etc.). For example, the sensor416 can include one or more suitable transducers to measure and/orrecord information from the vibratory device 400, including a current, avoltage (e.g., a voltage change associated with the electrical signalacross the vibratory element 423), a magnetic field (e.g., a directionalmagnetic field generated by the electrical signal and applied near thevibratory element 423), or an acceleration of the vibratory element 423during movement, etc.

In some embodiments, the sensor 416 can be used to increase anefficiency of the vibratory device 400. For example, the sensor 416 caninclude an ammeter for monitoring the current of an electrical signalcoming from the vibratory element 423 and/or another portion of thevibratory device 400. A frequency of the electrical signal beingsupplied to the vibratory device 400 can be adjusted until a low currentis measured by the ammeter, with the rationale that, at a resonantfrequency of the vibratory device, the impedance of the vibratory device400 is higher than at other frequencies and therefore the current lowerthan at other frequencies (assuming a constant voltage). Accordingly,the ammeter can be used to tune (e.g., adjust) the frequency of theelectrical signal to the resonant frequency, such that the vibratorydevice 400 operates efficiently. That is, the vibratory device 400, insome embodiments, can include a processor configured to receive theinformation from the sensor 416 (e.g., information from the ammeter) andadjust the frequency of the electrical signal based on the information.For example, the processor can be configured to adjust the frequency ofthe electrical signal over time such that the vibratory device continuesto operate at a reduce current and at a lowest resonant frequency.

As another example, the sensor 416 may include a voltage sensor or avoltmeter with a constant current amplifier. Voltage changes in theelectrical signal supplied to a portion of the vibratory device 400including the vibratory element 423 can be measured using the voltmeter.A frequency of the electrical signal being supplied to the vibratorydevice 400 (e.g. from a suitable signal source) can be adjusted until ahigh voltage is measured by the voltmeter, with the rationale that, at aresonant frequency of the vibratory device, the impedance of thevibratory device 400 is higher than at other frequencies and thereforethe voltage higher than at other frequencies. Accordingly, the monitoredvoltage may be used to tune (e.g., adjust) the frequency of theelectrical signal such that a high voltage is measured to achieve highefficiency.

As another example, where the vibratory element 423 is driven by amodulated magnetic field, the sensor 416 can include a Hall effectsensor that monitors magnetic field fluctuations. The magnetic fieldfluctuations can be measured, while a frequency of the electrical signalbeing used to generate the magnetic field is varied, to tune thefrequency of the electrical signal to be at a resonant frequency of thevibratory device 400. As another example, the sensor 416 can include amovement sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) that can measure anacceleration and/or a velocity of the vibratory element 423 to determinewhen a resonant frequency is achieved.

The sensor 416 can also be equipped to receive and/or measureinformation from the subject such as movement associated with vibratorysignals that are transferred to the bone structure of the subject, atemperature of the subject, an orientation or body position of thesubject, etc.

The vibratory device 400 can also include a support element 418 tosupport or position the vibratory device 400 on or against the targetarea TA of the subject to deliver the vibratory signals, as disclosedherein. The support element 418 can be a device or fastening featurethat can maintain contact and positioning of the vibratory device 400with respect to the subject. For example, the support element 418 can bea head band, eye glasses, or a pillow, and so forth as disclosed indetail further below. In some embodiments, the support element 418 canbe an adhesive component, such as, for example, an adhesive pad, a tackypolymer, etc. that can maintain contact and positioning of the vibratorydevice 400.

The power source 414, the sensor 416, and/or the support element 418 canbe housed within and/or attached to the body 410 of the device 400.

The target area TA of the subject to which vibratory signals are appliedmay be, for example, a surface of the head. Optionally, in someembodiments, the vibratory device 423 may be implanted in the subject'shead, and the target area TA can be a region that is proximate to and/orpart of bone structure BS. The vibratory device can be configured to beengageable with the target area TA to effectively deliver therapeuticvibratory signals. In an example instance, the target area TA can be anarea behind an external ear of a subject that overlays a mastoid process(or mastoid bone or mastoid process of the temporal bone) of a skull ofthe subject. In such instances, the mastoid bone may form part of thebone structure BS used to deliver vibratory signals to the vestibularsystem VS, via the bony structures of the inner ear housing thevestibular system VS. In some instances the zygomatic bone or thezygomatic process of the temporal bone can be a portion of the bonestructure BS used to deliver vibratory signals to the vestibular systemVS. In other instances, the target area TA can be a portion of a back ofthe head or the forehead, with the underlying regions of the skullacting as the bone structure BS that conducts the vibratory signalsreceived from the vibratory device 400. Based on the target area TAselected and its distance from the vestibular system VS, varying forcelevels can be used to operate the vibratory device 400. For example,when the device is placed on a target area TA such as the forehead areaof a subject or behind the head of a subject, regions that are furtheraway from the vestibular system VS than the mastoid process, a higherforce level may be used as compared to when the device is placedoverlaying the mastoid process of the subject. As an example, whenplaced on the forehead or being the head of a subject, the vibratorydevice 400 can be configured to apply vibratory signals with a forcelevel up to 14 dB greater than the force level of vibratory signals thatmay be therapeutically effective when delivered elsewhere (e.g., regionoverlying the mastoid bone). When the target area TA is an areaoverlaying the mastoid bone and the vibratory device is placedoverlaying that area, a therapeutically effective force level can bebetween 90-100 dB re 1 dyne, and desirably, between 93-98 dB re 1 dyne,for treating a vestibular condition.

The body 410 of the vibratory device 400 can be configured to housevarious components of the vibratory device 400. In some embodiments, thebody 410 can house some of the components while providing an interfacefor the coupling of one or more components that are not housed withinthe body 410, such as the power source 414, the sensor 416, and/or thesupport element 418. In some embodiments, the body 410 of the vibratorydevice 400 can define one or more chambers or receptacles for housingone or more components of the vibratory device such as the vibratoryelement 423, the suspension element 420, the driving circuit 440, and/orthe delivery interface 430. The body 410 can also be shaped and/orconfigured for desired positioning of the delivery interface 430 againstthe target area TA of the subject's body (e.g., the body 410 can have acurved surface, or a surface that is malleable or flexible). In someembodiments, the body 410 and/or one or more of its chambers may befilled with air or in some instances a liquid such as a lubricant to aidin the generation and delivery of the vibratory signals. In someembodiments, the body 410 and/or one or more of its chambers may alsoinclude materials of having properties such as, for example, audiblenoise dampening agents such as sponges or sound absorbing materials,heat dissipation materials, etc.

The vibratory element 423 of the device 400 can be configured tooscillate or vibrate to generate the vibratory signal. In someembodiments, the vibratory element 423 can be housed within a chamber ofthe body 410. The vibratory element 423 can be suspended at anequilibrium position by the suspension element 420, and an electricalsignal can be used to cause the vibratory element 423 to vibrate oroscillate about the equilibrium position to generate a vibratory signal.Properties of the vibratory element 423 and/or suspension element 420,such as the material, composition, structure etc., can be chosen to meetspecific requirements of the generated vibratory signals (e.g., a lowfrequency signal).

For example, the vibratory element 423 can be a spring or an elasticmaterial with a measure of stiffness (e.g., a spring constant) thatenables generation of vibratory signals of a low frequency (e.g., afrequency of less than 200 Hz) with high efficiency. In an embodiment,the vibratory element 423 can be a mass that is suspended by asuspension element 420 that is a spring. The natural resonance of such asystem can be determined based on Hooke's Law, as represented by theequation

${f = {\frac{1}{2\; \pi}\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}}},$

where f is the resonant frequency, k is the spring constant, and m isthe mass. The amplitude of movement of the mass is greater at theresonant frequency than at other frequencies, for a given power, sincethe mass and spring system at the resonant frequency can be associatedwith a purer tone (e.g., a sinusoidal waveform). Accordingly, operatingthe vibratory device 400 at its resonant frequency produces a strongervibratory signal, and properties of the vibratory element 423 and/orsuspension element 420 can be selected to achieve a particular resonantfrequency.

Other factors that can affect and/or determine the generated vibratorysignal can be, for example, the mechanism of the driving force (e.g.,mechanical, magnetic), the ease of movement of the vibratory element(e.g., how frictionless is the movement), the location of the targetarea TA (e.g., the mastoid bone, the zygomatic bone, the skull near theforehead of a subject, etc.), reduced secondary or tertiary paths ofenergy dissipation (e.g., off-axis movement, heat, friction, etc.),direction of movement with respect to external forces (e.g., pressureduring use, gravitational forces, etc.), requirements for ease of use bythe subject under varied conditions (e.g., mobility of the subject,limitations on level of distractions, etc.), and so forth.

The vibratory element 423 can be configured such that it can be drivento generate vibratory movements along or about an axis of the vibratorydevice 400 (e.g., a longitudinal axis of the body 410), where themovements produce vibratory signals with suitable properties (e.g.frequency, amplitude, force level, etc.,) for treating vestibularconditions. The vibratory device 400, in some embodiments, can be anelectromechanical transducer including, for example, a vibratory element423 implemented as a magnet that can be driven to move along an axisusing a suitable driving force such as a magnetic field. Further detailsregarding such embodiments are described below with reference to FIGS.6-9C.

Another method to produce a low frequency vibratory signal is tomodulate an ultrasonic signal. In some embodiments, the vibratory device400 can be a piezoelectric transducer driven by an electrical signal togenerate vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range. The vibrations ofthe piezoelectric transducer at this higher frequency can produceacoustic radiation pressure. The driving electrical signal can beclocked on and off at a lower frequency, less than 200 Hz (e.g., 60 Hz),such that the pressure from the piezoelectric transducer applied on andoff at the lower frequency generates a corresponding vibratory signal atthe lower frequency. The use of a piezoelectric transducer can reduce asize and weight of the vibratory device 400, as piezoelectrictransducers are typically smaller and lighter than other types ofelectro-mechanical transducers.

Depending on where the vibratory device 400 is placed, the dimensionalrestrictions of the vibratory device 400, and/or the configuration orshape of the vibratory device 400, specific components of the vibratorydevice 400 can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective levelof vibratory signal to treat a vestibular condition. While one vibratoryelement 423 is illustrated in FIG. 5, one of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate that vibratory device 400 can include one or moreadditional vibratory elements, which can work together and/orindependently to generate vibratory signals to treat a vestibularcondition.

Similar to other vibratory devices or systems, the vibratory device 400can be associated with a set of resonant frequencies. In someembodiments, the vibratory element 423 may be configured to move inresponse to a driving force such that the amount of power of thegenerated vibratory signals at a lowest resonant frequency associatedwith the vibratory device 400 is greater than the amount of power of thevibratory signals at the remaining resonant frequencies (e.g., higherresonant frequencies) associated with the vibratory device 400. Forexample, a vibratory device may be configured to have a lowest resonantfrequency between 50 and 70 Hz, and the vibratory signals generated atthe lowest resonant frequency in this range can be of greater amount ofpower than vibratory signals that may be generated at other resonantfrequencies. In some embodiments, the vibratory element 423, thesuspension element 420, and/or other elements of the vibratory device400 can be selected such that the vibratory device 400 vibrates at alowest fundamental frequency of less than 200 Hz.

In some embodiments, the vibratory element 423 can vibrate at a firstresonant frequency along a first axis (e.g., an axis in a z-direction)and also vibrate at a second resonant frequency along secondary axes(e.g., an axis in a x-y plane). To reduce the vibrations along thesecondary axes, the vibratory element 423, the suspension element 420,and/or other elements of the vibratory device 400 can be selected suchthat the first resonant frequency is not a harmonic of the secondresonant frequency, and vice versa (e.g., the first resonant frequencyis a few hertz offset from the second resonant frequency and/or aharmonic of the second resonant frequency), such that vibrations alongthe secondary axes can be reduced when the vibratory device 400 isstimulated at the first resonant frequency. Vibrations along thesecondary axes can, for example, lead to internal collision betweencomponents of the vibratory device 400 and/or audible sound.

The vibratory device 400 can be positioned in different areas on a headof a subject. FIG. 16 depicts a human skull and indicates some exampleregions of the skull where the vibratory device 400 may be positioned,to apply therapeutic vibratory signals to treat vestibular conditionsdisclosed herein. For example, as indicated in FIG. 16, the vibratorydevice 400 can, in some instances, be placed over a mastoid bone 1502 ofthe subject's skull. While a left mastoid bone 1502 is identified inFIG. 16, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that thevibratory device 400 can be placed over a left or right mastoid bone ofa subject. In other instances, the vibratory device 400 can be placedover a portion of the back of the head (e.g. over a left, right, orcentral portion of an occipital bone 1501) or over a portion of theforehead (e.g. a left, right or central portion of a frontal bone 1504)to deliver vibratory signals to treat vestibular and other conditionsdisclosed herein. Depending upon the region that the vibratory device400 is placed (e.g., its proximity to the vestibular system, whethervibrations from the device need to traverse a suture line 1503), a forcelevel of the vibratory signals may be adjusted such that atherapeutically effective level of vibration for treating a condition isdelivered to the vestibular system.

When the vibratory device 400 is positioned overlaying a mastoid bone(e.g. mastoid bone 1502 shown in FIG. 16), the vibratory device 400 canapply a vibratory signal that is therapeutically effective at treating acondition of the vestibular system (i.e., a therapeutically effectivevibratory signal) having a resonant frequency of less than 200 Hz and aforce level between 90 and 100 dB re 1 dyne. If the vibratory device 400is positioned overlaying a different area of the subject's head that isfurther from the subject's vestibular system than the mastoid bone,(e.g., a zygomatic bone 1505, or a frontal bone 1504 or an occipitalbone 1501, shown in FIG. 16), then the vibratory device 400 can generatea vibratory signal that has a greater force level such that thevibratory signal can affect a portion of the vestibular system in amanner equivalent to a therapeutically effective vibratory signal thatis applied to an area overlaying the mastoid bone (e.g., 1502 shown inFIG. 16). For example, when the vibratory device 400 is positioned overa frontal bone of a subject (e.g., frontal bone 1504 in FIG. 16), thevibratory device 400 can generate a vibratory signal having a forcelevel that is greater than the force level of a therapeuticallyeffective vibratory signal that is applied to an area overlaying themastoid bone (e.g., up to 14 dB re 1 dyne greater).

The suspension element 420 of the vibratory device 400 can include oneor more components that are housed in the body 410, and that interactwith the vibratory element 423. In some embodiments, the suspensionelement 420 and/or the vibratory element 423 can be configured withadaptations to accommodate each other. For example, the suspensionelement 420 can include components that can extend through openingsdefined in the vibratory element 423.

In some embodiments, the suspension element 420 can be housed within achamber of the body 410, and in some instances, can be disposed in afluid such as a lubricant. The suspension element 420 can be configuredto apply a force on the vibratory element 423 to suspend, hold orsupport the vibratory element 423 in a position of equilibrium untildriven to move by the application of a driving signal. For example, thesuspension element 420 can be a spring coupled to a vibratory element423 (e.g. a magnet). Alternatively or additionally, the suspensionelement 420 can include a pair of magnets in an arrangement with thevibratory element 423 (e.g., another magnet) to each apply a force onthe vibratory element 423 in an opposing direction (e.g., opposing orrepulsive magnetic forces) to collectively hold the vibratory element423 in an equilibrium position by virtue of forces acting between them(e.g. the opposing or repulsive magnetic forces). In such embodiments, adriving force (e.g. an applied magnetic field of a specific magnitudeand acting along specific directions) can induce the vibratory element423 (e.g. the magnet in equilibrium position) to move between the pairof magnets. In other embodiments, the suspension element 420 can be anelastic material or fluid. While one suspension element 420 is depictedin FIG. 5, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that aplurality of suspension elements 420 can be used to support and/orsuspend the vibratory element 423. The plurality of suspension elements420 can include one or more different types of suspension elements(e.g., a magnet, a spring, an elastic material, etc.).

The driving circuit 440 of the vibratory device 400 can include one ormore suitable components that can generate an electrical signal. Theelectrical signal can cause a force to be generated to induce movementof the vibratory element 423 along an axis to produce therapeuticvibratory signals. The driving circuit 440, in some embodiments, canreceive the electrical signal from a control unit (such as the controlunit 360 in FIGS. 4A and 4B). In some other embodiments, the drivingcircuit 440 can itself include an onboard unit that can generate theelectrical signal.

The electrical signal generated or received by the driving circuit 440and used to induce movement of the vibratory element 423 can be ofsuitable properties to produce a vibratory signal having specificfrequency and force levels. For example, the electrical signal can beselected such that it causes the vibratory element 423 to producevibratory signals that have a particular range of frequencies (e.g.,less than 200 Hz) to treat one or more specific vestibular conditions.In some embodiments, a control unit (e.g., control unit 360) can becapable of changing a frequency of the electrical signal until theelectrical signal causes the vibratory device 400 to vibrate at aresonant frequency, such as described above with sensor 416.

In some embodiments, the driving circuit 440 can include an onboardsignal generator to generate the electrical signal, an amplifier toamplify the signal, and one or more elements for converting theelectrical signal into the appropriate modality that causes thevibratory element 423 to move. For example, the driving circuit 440 caninclude one or more coils that can generate a magnetic field that movesthe vibratory element 423.

The delivery interface 430 of the vibratory device 400 can be configuredto transfer the vibratory signals generated by the vibratory element 423to the target area TA of the subject, such that the vibratory signalscan be conducted via the bone structure BS beneath to the vestibularsystem VS. The delivery interface 430 can be configured for and/oradaptable to the structure and/or shape of the target area TA of theuser such that the delivery interface can engage with and/or maintaincontact during the period of use for transfer of the therapeuticvibratory signals. In some embodiments, the delivery interface 430 canbe configured with considerations of comfort and ease of use for theuser, for example, during use of the vibratory device 400 to mitigate avestibular conditions. The delivery interface 430 may further beconfigured to reduce secondary effects that may be undesirable such asthe generation and accumulation of heat, generation of audible noise,lack of air circulation, application of pressure against the target areaTA, etc. For example, the delivery interface 430 can include a layer ofmemory foam material that may aid in adapting to the contours of thetarget area (e.g., a region behind the ear overlying the mastoidprocess). The memory foam material may also aid in heat dissipation,dampening of audible noise, encourage air circulation, minimizediscomfort from pressure applied by a support element such as a headband, etc.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example vibratory device 500 accordingto one embodiment. The vibratory device 500 includes a body (or housing)510 that includes a tubing 526 and end caps 525 a, 525 b. In someembodiments, the body 510 of the vibratory device 500 can define achamber. The body 510 houses a vibratory element implemented as a magnet523 and suspension elements implemented as magnets 520 a, 520 b. Asshown in the cut-away view in FIG. 6, the suspension elements includemagnets 520 a, 520 b, and the vibratory element 523 includes a magnet523. The magnets 520, 520 b act as suspension elements by exertingopposing forces on the magnet 523 to suspend the magnet 523 at anequilibrium position, as shown in FIG. 6. For example the magnet 520 acan be configured to apply a force on the first magnet 523 in a firstdirection and the magnet 520 b can be configured to apply a force (e.g.a force equivalent in magnitude to that exerted by the second magnet 520a on magnet 523) on the first magnet 523 in a second direction (e.g. asecond directions 180° removed from the first direction). As such thefirst magnet 523 can be disposed between the second magnet 520 a and thethird magnet 520 b in the body 510 (e.g. a chamber) such that the secondmagnet 520 a and the third magnet 520 b collectively suspend the firstmagnet 523 at a position (e.g. an equilibrium position) within the body510.

The magnet 523 acts as the vibratory element configured to move (e.g.,oscillate or vibrate) to produce the vibratory signal. The vibratoryelement 523 can be collectively suspended by the suspension elements 520a, 525 b within the body 510 (e.g., in a chamber) such that thevibratory element 523 can vibrate about an equilibrium position.

In some embodiments, the vibratory device 500 can include an elongatemember having a longitudinal axis. The elongate member can be configuredto extend through an opening in the vibratory element 523 such that thevibratory element 523 can be configured to vibrate along thelongitudinal axis of the elongate member. The elongate member canfurther be configured to reduce oscillations or vibrations of thevibratory element 523 along any axis other than the longitudinal axis.As shown in FIG. 6, the vibratory device 500 further includes anelongate member in the form of a pin 521 that can be secured to the endcaps 525 a, 525 b. The pin 521 passes through openings 522 a, 522 bdefined in the end caps 525 a, 525 b of the vibratory device 500,openings defined in the magnets 520 a, 520 b, and an opening defined inthe magnet 523. The pin 521 provides an axis for movement of the magnet523 (e.g., along a longitudinal axis of the pin 521). The vibratorydevice 500 further includes a driving circuit that includes a coil 524configured to generate a magnetic field capable of driving the vibratorydevice using an electrical signal. The vibratory device 500 includes abushing 522 c configured to fit in the opening defined in the magnet523, and configured to interface between the pin 521 and the magnet 523allowing smooth movement of the magnet 523 over the pin 521.

In operation, the vibratory device 500 is driven using an electricalsignal that comprises a sine wave or another type of signal waveform ata low frequency (e.g., less than 200 Hz). The coil 524 is operable togenerate a magnetic field with an induced electrical current. Themagnetic field in turn applies a magnetic force on magnet 523. Themagnetic force, when applied to the magnet 523, causes the magnet 523 tomove along the axis indicated by the arrow “A” in FIG. 6. The magnet 523is configured to move in either of the directions indicated depending onthe direction of the magnetic field vector.

Magnets 520 a and 520 b, forming the suspension element, each create aconstant magnetic field, each of which is applied to magnet 523 (i.e., anorth side of magnet 520 a will face a north side of magnet 523 and asouth side of magnet 520 b will face a south side of magnet 523).Accordingly, the magnets 520 a, 520 b apply opposing forces on themagnet 523. The opposing forces created by magnets 520 a, 520 b areoperable to suspend the magnet 523 at the equilibrium position such thatthe magnet 523 oscillates about the equilibrium position and generatesthe one or more vibratory signal signals. The electrical signal willcause the magnet 523 to oscillate or move along the axis A, which can bethe same as or may substantially correspond with a longitudinal axis ofthe pin 521.

In some embodiments, to ensure that the magnets 520 a, 520 b and 523 donot oscillate or move in a direction other than along the axis A, whichmay affect the efficiency of the system and increase undesirablefriction that causes secondary vibratory signals (e.g., a hummingsound), the vibratory device 500 can be configured such that the motionof magnet 523 is restricted by the pin 521. In some embodiments, each ofthe magnets 520 a, 520 b, can be secured to the end caps 525 a, 525 b ofthe vibratory device 500 with a glue, epoxy, or another form ofadhesive. The magnet 523 can be fitted around the pin 526 with thebushing 522 c interface allowing the magnet 523 to smoothly move overthe pin 521 while restricting any motion that is not along the axis A.Glue, epoxy, or any other form of adhesive may also be used to securethe pin 521 to the end caps 525 a, 525 b through openings or holes 522a, 522 b.

In some embodiments, the tubing 526 may contain and/or include on itsinner surface a lubricant (e.g., ferrofluid) or a low friction material(e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene), configured to reduce the potentialfriction between the magnet 523 and the inner surface of the tubing 526.Reduced friction can be configured to ensure a quieter operation of thevibratory device 500 (e.g., with less noise generated by the potentialfriction from contact). Such lubricants may also be used to reduce thefriction between the bushing 522 c and the pin 521.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the tubing 526 and/or endcaps525 a, 525 b can be covered with a sound absorbing material. Further, insome embodiments, one or more of the endcaps 525 a, 525 b can be coveredwith a friction reducing material (e.g., a smooth material) or an impactabsorbing or padded material, such as, for example, cork, so that whenthat endcap comes into contact with a person's skin or body the contactis less abrasive than if the endcaps 525 a, 525 b where not covered bysuch material. Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the endcaps525 a, 525 b may be attached to a structure that increases a surfacearea of that endcap, so that when that endcap comes into contact with aperson's skin or body, the contact is spread over a larger area reducingthe pressure exerted by that endcap on the skin or body.

It should be understood that the magnets 520 a, 520 b are one example ofelastic objects that can be used to form the suspension element in thevibratory device 500. In other embodiments, the magnets 520 a, 520 b maybe replaced by other elastic objects (e.g., springs, an elasticpolymer).

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of the vibratory device 600 thatincludes springs as suspension elements. The vibratory device 600 can besimilar to the vibratory device 500 depicted in FIG. 6 described above.For example, the vibratory device 600 can include a housing 610including a tubing 626 (e.g. a Nylon tubing) and end caps 625 a, 625 b.The vibratory device 600 can further include a magnet 623 forming thevibratory element, and a driving circuit including a coil 624 to drivemovement of the magnet 623 to produce the vibratory signals used totreat vestibular conditions disclosed herein.

As shown in the cross-sectional schematic in FIG. 7A, the vibratorydevice 600 can include suspension elements implemented as springs 620 a,620 b, instead of the magnets 520 a, 520 b in the vibratory device 500shown in FIG. 6. The magnet 623 can be collectively suspended by thesprings 620 a, 620 b, within the housing 610 (e.g. in a chamber) suchthat the magnet 623 can vibrate about an equilibrium position whenenergized by an electrical signal.

As described above with reference to the vibratory device 500, in someembodiments, the vibratory device 600 can include an elongate memberhaving a longitudinal axis. The elongate member can be configured toextend through an opening in the vibratory element magnet 623 such thatthe magnet 623 can be configured to vibrate along the longitudinal axisof the elongate member. The elongate member can further be configured toreduce oscillations or vibrations of the magnet 623 along any axis otherthan the longitudinal axis.

The springs 620 a, 620 b, may be supported by the elongate member,cavities in end caps 625 a, 625 b and/or other suitable structure(s)extending from the end caps (not shown in FIG. 7A) such as, for example,a rigid and/or flexible structure (e.g., a pin, foam, rubber, or anyanother material). The springs 620 a, 620 b, can be configured to expandand compress along an axis (e.g. a longitudinal axis) and the magnet 623mounted to the springs 620 a, 620 b, configured to oscillate or vibratealong the same axis to produce therapeutic vibratory signals. Thesprings, used as the elastic objects forming the suspension element, canbe secured to other parts of the vibratory device 600 (e.g., to themagnet 623, tubing 626, and/or end caps 625 a, 625 b) using a glue,epoxy, or any form of adhesive. The springs 620 a, 620 b, can beconfigured to reduce oscillations of the magnet along any axis otherthan the axis (e.g. longitudinal axis) of the springs.

The springs 620 a, 620 b can be of any suitable material (e.g.,stainless steel), and be chosen to have certain stiffness, for springconstant k, such that they allow movement of the magnet 623 along anaxis indicated by the labeled arrow “B,” when driven by an electricalsignal. The springs 620 a, 620 b can be configured such that they areattached to the magnet 623 and a portion of the housing 610. Forexample, each spring (620 a and 620 b) can have a first end that may beattached to a portion of the housing 610 and a second end attached tothe magnet 623. As such, the springs can be configured to apply a forceon the magnet to suspend the magnet at the position within the chamber.For example, the springs 620 a and 620 b can each exert an equivalentforce in an opposite direction such that with movement of the magnet623, as one spring (e.g. 620 a) expands the other spring (e.g. 620 b)may contract and vice versa, such that the magnet 623 may oscillate orvibrate along an axis (e.g. the longitudinal axis of the springs) themovement of the magnet 623 may be configured to be about the position ofsuspension (e.g. an equilibrium position). The vibratory device 600 caninclude one or more glue pockets 632, 634 as points of coupling betweenthe springs 620 a, 620 b and the magnet 623, respectively.

In some embodiments, the springs 620 a, 620 b are operable to preventcontact between the magnet 623 and the inner surface of the tubing 626.As described above with reference to the vibratory device 500, thetubing 626 of the vibratory device 600 can contain and/or include on theinner surface a lubricant (e.g., ferrofluid) or a low friction material(e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene), to reduce potential friction from anycontact between the magnet 623 and the inner surface of the tubing 626during movement of the magnet 623. In some embodiments, a rod or pin(not shown in FIG. 7A) and a bushing (not shown in FIG. 7A) may beincluded to further limit a movement of the magnet 623 in directionsother than along axis B.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross sectional view of the vibratory device 600from FIG. 7A, attached to a delivery interface 630 for delivering thetherapeutic vibratory signals. As described before the magnet 623 actsas the vibratory element suspended by the springs 620 a, 620 b. Thedelivery interface 630 can be a memory foam pad configured to transfervibratory signals from the vibratory device 600 to the body of thesubject. While magnets and springs have been provided as examples ofsuspension elements, one of ordinary skill in the art would understandthat other types of elastic objects may be used in lieu of and/or inaddition to magnets and/or springs.

The vibratory devices disclosed herein (e.g., vibratory devices 400,500, 600, 700) can have high Q factors (e.g., be capable or oscillatingwith greater amplitudes at a narrow range of frequencies). In someembodiments, a vibratory device can be operable at a lowest, fundamentalfrequency, such as a frequency between 50-70 Hz, with a low amount ofpower being directed to upper and more audible resonant frequencies.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vibratory device 700according to an embodiment. The vibratory device 700 can be similar tothe vibratory devices 500, 600. For example, the vibratory device 700can include a housing 710, a vibratory element implemented as a magnet723, a suspension element implemented as a spring 720, and a drivingcircuit including a coil 724 to drive movement of the magnet 723 toproduce the vibratory signals used to treat vestibular conditionsdisclosed here. The magnet 723 can be suspended by the spring 720,within the housing 710 (e.g. in a chamber) such that the magnet 723 canvibrate about an equilibrium position when energized by an electricalsignal delivered by the driving circuit.

In some embodiments, to reduce the spring constant of the spring 720,thereby affecting the resonant frequency of the vibratory device 700, alength of the spring 720 can be increased, which can allow for thegeneration of lower frequencies. In order to change the length of thespring without altering the size of the vibratory device 700, the spring720 can be configured to pass through an opening 723 a defined by themagnet 723. As shown in FIG. 8, the spring 720 can be attached to amounting plate 728 and adhered to the far side of the magnet 723 ratherthan be attached to the near side of the magnet 723. In this way, alength of the vibratory device 700 can remain the same while a length ofthe spring 720 can increase by a length equal to or substantially equalto the thickness of the magnet 723. In some embodiments, as analternative to having a mounting plate 728, the magnet 723 can have anopening that extends through a portion of its length (e.g.,approximately 95% of its length), and the spring 720 can extend throughthe opening and attach to the far end of the magnet 723, similar to howthe spring 720 would attach to a mounting plate 728.

Similar to the vibratory device 600 as depicted in FIG. 7B, thevibratory device 700 illustrated in FIG. 8 can also be attached to adelivery interface (e.g., a delivery interface 730) to deliver vibratorysignals to a subject's vestibular system. The delivery interface 730 caninclude a padded material, such as a memory foam pad, to conform to asurface of a target area and act as an interface between the vibratorydevice 700 and the target area, to effectively deliver the vibratorysignals.

As shown in FIG. 8, some embodiments of the vibratory device can includean integrated circuit 706 that includes circuitry for generating asignal for activating the vibratory device 700. The integrated circuit706 can include one or more leads or connection points 708 (e.g. wireleads) to connect to other components (e.g. a control unit 360 such as amicrocontroller). The integrated circuit 706 can also include and/or becoupled to a sensor 790.

The vibratory device 700 can have a high Q factor. In operation, afrequency of a signal being used to activate the vibratory device 700may be selected such that the vibratory device 700 operates at aresonant frequency to increase an amplitude of the oscillations for agiven power input. In an embodiment, the sensor 790 can include a Halleffect sensor that is configured to monitor magnetic field fluctuations.When the frequency of the electrical signal supplied to the vibratorydevice 700 from a signal source that can vary force level and/orfrequency (e.g., signal generator 370 and/or amplifier 380) matches aresonant frequency of the vibratory device 700, the magnet 723 can movefurther (e.g., oscillate or vibrate with greater amplitude) than atother frequencies. Accordingly, magnetic field fluctuations caused bythe oscillations of the magnet 723 can increase when the frequency ofthe electrical signal matches a resonant frequency of the vibratingdevice 700. This relative fluctuation can be monitored using a Halleffect sensor.

In more detail, a microcontroller or microprocessor (e.g., a controlunit 360) may be operable to receive signals from the Hall effect sensorand adjust a frequency of the electrical signal used to power thevibratory device 700 based on the sensor readings. For example, themicrocontroller may be operable to scan through a set range offrequencies (e.g., 50-65 Hz) and select a frequency of the electricalsignal that generates the highest level of magnetic field fluctuations.This process may be referred to as “tuning.” Thereafter, the combinationof the sensor 790 and microcontroller may continue to tune the frequencyof the electrical signal supplied to the vibratory device 700 tomaintain that efficiency each time the device is turned on. In addition,after a frequency of the electrical signal has been selected, thefrequency may be modified around the selected frequency to determinewhether the frequency of the electrical signal associated with peakefficiency changes over time due to temperature, wear, or othervariables that may cause the properties of components of the vibratorydevice 700 (e.g., the spring 720) to change with time.

In some embodiments, the sensor 790 can include an ammeter, a voltmeter,an accelerometer, or some other type of sensor, similar to the sensor390, for measuring information (e.g., current, voltage, acceleration,etc.) to be able to select the resonant frequency that provides greatestefficiency.

Integrated circuit 706 can function as an endcap, which further reducesthe size of vibratory device 700. The delivery interface 730 may be, forexample, a foam pad operable to function as structure that conforms tothe surface of a user's skin and is capable of transferring vibratorysignals from the vibratory device 700 to the body, such that it can beconducted via bone to the vestibular system. The delivery interface 730may be configured such that a good coupling allows an efficient transferof vibratory signals to the head.

In some embodiments, to avoid audible tones (i.e., noise, humming), thevibratory device 700 may be configured to reduce friction and/or contactbetween internal structures. For example, the magnet 723, coil 724,housing 710, etc. may be positioned with sufficient tolerances betweenone another to allow natural rocking and swaying of components whilereducing contact between the various components.

Similar to the magnet 623 of the vibratory device 600, the magnet 723may also wobble in directions not along the axis C, which may cause themagnet 723 to contact an inner surface of the vibratory device 700. Thiscontact can make an audible sound and/or reduce an efficiency of thevibratory device 700. In some such embodiments, noise may be minimizedby choosing a spring 720 and magnet 723 whose properties cause the axialresonant frequency to not be the same as the wobbling resonant frequencyor any of its harmonics. Then, in operating the vibratory device 700 ata frequency that corresponds to the axial resonant frequency and not thewobbling resonant frequency can reduce wobbling and unintentionalcontact between the magnet 723 and other components of the vibratorydevice 700.

To adjust the output force level of the mechanical vibratory signalsoutput by the vibratory device 700, the voltage of the electrical signalinput into the vibratory device 700 may be increased. Alternatively oradditionally, to adjust the output force level of vibratory signals, thefrequency of the electrical signal may be adjusted to the resonantfrequency.

FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of a spring 820 that can act as asuspension element in a vibratory device (e.g., the spring 720 in thedevice 700 described above). The orientation of the spring may reducethe amount of wobbling, rocking, or undesirable movement of the magnet(e.g., the magnet 723) in secondary directions. As shown in FIGS. 9B and9C, which present views of the two ends of the spring 820, the spring820 may be orientated such that a first end 820 a of the spring 820begins at a 0° position and a second end 820 b of the spring 820 ends ata 180° position. In other embodiments, the spring 820 can being and endat other degree intervals, e.g., 90°, 270°, etc. depending on an effectof gravity on the vibratory device (e.g., a orientation of the spring820 relative to a direction of gravity). In some embodiments, theorientation of spring 820 can be selected based on the placement of asensor, such as, for example, an accelerometer or a Hall effect sensor.

FIGS. 10-15 are illustrations of different embodiments of vibratorydevices that can be included and/or integrated into various supportelements. While one or two vibratory devices may be depicted in thesefigures, one of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that anynumber of vibratory devices can be included in the various embodiments.In the case of multiple vibratory devices, a force level of thevibratory signals from each device can be reduced since a combinedeffect of the vibratory signals can be at a therapeutically effectivelevel for treating a vestibular condition.

FIG. 10 illustrates a vibratory device 900 with a body 910 integratedinto a headband 918 worn on the head HD of a subject. The vibratorydevice 900 includes a control unit 906, similar to control unit 360,described above. The headband 918 can be made of an elastic, Velcro,metal or plastic, or another material that permits the headband 918 tohold the vibratory device 900 on the head HD of the subject toeffectively deliver vibratory signals that can be conducted via bone tothe vestibular system. The vibratory device 900 can include an onboardpower source (e.g., a battery) to power the control unit 906 and/orother components of the vibratory device 900, or it may be attached viaa wire to a power source (e.g., a battery pack) separate from theheadband 918. The control unit 906 may include the necessary electricaldriving circuitry to generate the vibratory signals to treat vestibularor other conditions disclosed herein. Alternatively, such circuitry andpower source may be operatively connected to the vibratory device 900.In some embodiments, the head band 918 may incorporate additionaldevices such as a headlamp or other suitable head gear to accommodatevarious needs of a subject.

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 bintegrated into a support element in the form of headphones 1002,according to an embodiment. The headphones 1002 can include audiospeakers 1003 a, 1003 b and an elongated portion 1018 (e.g., band) thatconnects the audio speakers 1003 a, 1003 b. In some embodiments, theheadphones 1002 may be a passive noise reduction device such asearmuffs, and not include components like audio speakers. Vibratorydevices 1000 a, 1000 b can be similar to any other vibratory device(e.g., vibratory devices 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) described herein.The headphones 1002 may include noise cancellation circuitry that can beused to reduce a level of audible sound caused by vibrations produced bythe vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b but not cancel other vibration thatis conducted to the vestibular system (e.g., via bone as a result ofvibratory signals produced by the vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b). Forexample, the system 1002 may include noise cancellation circuitry thatgenerates a signal (or signals) that are out of phase with the audiblesignals produced by the vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b (e.g., at a 180degrees phase difference). Such an out of phase signal acts to reducethe signal level of such audible signals detected by a subject'svestibular system so that a subject may not hear the audible sounds.

When used in conjunction with headphones 1002, the vibratory devices1000 a, 1000 b may be placed adjacent to the audio speakers 1003 a, 1003b, such that when the audio speakers 1003 a, 1003 b are positioned overthe ears, the vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b are position overlayingthe mastoid bones. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments,one or more of the vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b may be incorporatedinto ear cups of headphones 1002 that may be co-located with thespeakers 1003 a, 1003 b so that an ornamental shape or profile of theheadphones 1002 is not affected.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of thevibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b (or additional vibratory devices notdepicted) may be placed along the headband 1018, or extend from aportion of the headphones 1002. Alternatively or additionally, in someother embodiments, one or more of the vibratory devices 1000 a, 1000 b(or additional vibratory devices not depicted) may be incorporated intoan attachment which attaches and detaches to the headphones 1002 so thatthe user may choose to have the headphones without the vibratory devices1000 a, 1000 b or have the headphones with the vibratory devices 1000 a,1000 b.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of vibratory devices 1100 a,1100 b that may be integrated into, or connected to, a pillow 1110(e.g., a travel pillow, a cushion, etc.). The location of the vibratorydevices 1100 a, 1100 b on the pillow 1110 may be configured such thatwhen a subject rests his or her head on the pillow 1110, the vibratorydevices 1100 a, 1100 b overlay, for example, the mastoid bones of thesubject. In other embodiments, the vibratory devices 1100 a, 1100 b canbe positioned such that they would overlay other areas of the subject'shead.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of a vibratory device 1200that may be integrated into or connected to a seat 1210 (e.g., a carseat, office chair, etc.). The seat 1210 and the vibratory device 1200can be configured so that, for example, when a subject's head restsagainst the seat head rest 1212, the vibratory device 1200 overlays aportion of the head of the subject and is capable of transferringvibratory signals to the head. In some embodiments, the vibratory devicecan be removably attached to the seat 1210 using a support element 1218such that it can be removed when not in use.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of vibratory devices 1300 a, 1300b that may be integrated into, or connected to, a pair of eyeglasses1310. While eyeglasses are depicted in FIG. 14, one or ordinary skill inthe art would recognize that other types of eyewear (e.g., goggles,sunglasses, safety glasses) may also be suitable for having one or morevibratory devices. The vibratory devices 1300 a, 1300 b can bepositioned on the eyeglasses 1310 on the ear portions 1311 a, 1311 bthat may be in proximal contact with a subject's head during use of theeyeglasses 1310. The vibratory devices 1300 a, 1300 b can be positionedsuch that, when a subject wears the eyeglasses 1310, the vibratorydevices 1300 a, 1300 b overlay a portion of the head such that vibratorysignals can be transferred to the head and onto the vestibular system.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of vibratory device 1420 mountedor integrated into a virtual reality device 1410 (e.g., a device thatcan be used to experience virtual reality or augmented realityenvironments). The vibratory device 1400 can be positioned on thevirtual reality device 1410 on a band 1441 of the virtual reality device1410 that may be used to fasten or support the virtual reality device1410 on the subject's head, and may be in proximal contact with the headduring use of the virtual reality device 1410. One or more vibratorydevices may be mounted in any position along the band 1441 of thevirtual reality device 1410. The vibratory device 1400 may be positionedon the virtual reality device 1410 such that when the subject wears thevirtual reality device 1410, the vibratory device 1400 overlays aportion of the head of the subject such that vibratory signals can betransferred (e.g., via a delivery interface) to the head and onto thevestibular system.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate example waveforms of electrical signals forpowering a vibratory device. FIG. 17A shows a sinusoidal waveform 1600,with a wavelength 1604 and an amplitude 1602, that can, for example, beused to modulate a magnetic field vector to move a vibratory element ofa vibratory device. FIG. 17B illustrates a square waveform 1610 thatcan, for example, be used to modulate a piezoelectric vibratory elementin a vibratory device to generate vibratory signals, as described above.The piezoelectric device can vibrate at a high frequency to generatepressure when activated by the square wave, and the square wave cancycle at a lower frequency (e.g., less than 200 Hz) such that thepressure cycles on and off at the lower frequency of modulation (e.g. 60Hz), and functions similarly to a low frequency vibratory signal.

FIG. 18 is a graph 1700 that depicts ramping up and ramping down of anelectrical signal for powering a vibratory device to generate avibratory signal. The graph 1700 shows how an amplitude of theelectrical signal changes over time. As shown in FIG. 18, the amplitudecan be ramped up during an onset phase 1702, where the amplitude isincreased at a predefined rate. Upon reaching a predefined level, theamplitude is kept constant during a steady state phase 1706, which maylast for any suitable amount of time for treating a vestibular condition(as represented by the dashed line). The amplitude can then be rampeddown at a predefined rate until the signal is turned off. The onsetphase 1702 and the offset phase 1704 of the waveform can have differentramp profiles, as shown in FIG. 18. For example, the increase of appliedvoltage amplitude in the onset phase 1702 can be a ramped increase witha certain rate of increase in amplitude per unit time. And the offsetphase 1704 can be a downward ramp or a ramped decrease in amplitude,with a certain rate of reduction of amplitude per unit time that isdifferent from that of the rate of increase. In some embodiments, therate of increase in amplitude in the onset phase 1702 can be higher thanthe rate of decrease of amplitude in the offset phase 1704, as indicatedby the different slopes. In some instances, the ramped increase in theonset phase 1702 and/or the ramped decrease in the offset phase 1704 canalso be accomplished with a changing rate (e.g., a rate that increasesand/or decreases over time).

In some instances, the rate of increase and/or the rate of decrease canbe specified based the vestibular condition being treated, a subject'spersonal preferences, environmental factors, etc. In some embodiments,the rate of increase and/or the rate of decrease in amplitude can beadjusted by a user. In some embodiments, the rate or increase and/or therate of decrease in amplitude can be automatically adjusted (e.g., by acontrol unit 360) based on sensor readings. For example, a sensorintegrated into a vibratory device can be configured to measure bodilyor physiological conditions and/or reactions (e.g., changes inperspiration, temperature, heart rate, etc.) as the vibratory device ispowering on and/or powering off. By monitoring bodily conditions and/orreactions, a ramp up and/or ramp down rate can be adjusted toaccommodate different reactions (e.g., by a more sensitive or first-timeuser vs. a more regular user of the device). Moreover, for subjects thatsuffer from a chronic condition (e.g., vertigo), the ramp up and/or rampdown can be selected to reduce jarring effects of transitioning betweenthe device turning on and/or off, such as, for example, a sudden returnof the vestibular condition and greater on-set of symptoms associatedwith the vestibular condition.

FIG. 19 illustrates a method 1800 for using a vibratory device (e.g.,vibratory device 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) to treat symptoms associatedwith vestibular conditions disclosed herein. At 1802, the vibratorydevice is positioned on the head of the subject or user. The positioningis over a suitable area (e.g. over a suitable bone structure) such thatvibratory signals can be effectively transferred to the vestibularsystem of the subject.

At 1804, an electrical signal is supplied to the vibratory device toenergize the device and cause movement of the vibratory element in thevibratory device. At 1805, the vibratory signals are applied to thesubject's head to treat the vestibular condition. At 1806, informationassociated with the energized vibratory device is monitored, including,for example, current, voltage, magnetic field fluctuations, etc. At1808, physiological conditions and/or comfort level of the subject ismonitored. For example, the physiological signs like heart rate,perspiration, temperature, breathing, oxygen saturation, etc, of thesubject can be monitored. In some instances, any feedback from thesubject such as feedback reporting a level of comfort or discomfortperceived by the user, can be monitored using appropriate sensors andactuators integrated with the vibratory device. Such monitoring at 1806and 1808 can be accomplished using one or more sensor(s) (e.g., sensor390, sensor 416), and/or a control unit (e.g., control unit 360).

At 1810, the vibratory device and/or a control unit coupled to thevibratory device determines whether the electrical signal should beadjusted or changed. If the electrical signal does not need to beadjusted (1810: NO), then the vibratory device can continue treating thevestibular condition, at 1805, with continued monitoring of informationassociated with the vibratory device, at 1806, and continued monitoringof information associated with the subject, at 1808, as described above.

When the electrical signal does need to be adjusted (1810: YES), at1812, a frequency or a force level of the electrical signal is changedand the new electrical signal is applied to the vibratory device, at1804, following the flow chart as described above. The informationcollected from monitoring the vibratory device and from monitoring thesubject can be used to determine whether the force level and/or thefrequency need to be changed and by how much and in what form. Forexample, if measured voltage, current, and/or magnetic fieldfluctuations indicate that the current frequency is not the resonantfrequency, then the frequency may be adjusted to improve an efficiencyof the vibratory device. As another example, if a signal is receivedfrom a user indicating that the vestibular condition is no longerpresent (e.g., motion sickness is no longer present), then the vibratorydevice may adjust the frequency to turn off the device (e.g., via a rampdown). As another example, in response to an indication of discomfort bythe subject, the force level may be decreased.

Experimental studies were conducted to test an experimental vibratorydevice, similar to example vibratory devices disclosed herein, fortreating symptoms associated with vestibular conditions. Theexperimental vibratory device included a vibratory element implementedas a magnet suspended between two other magnets, similar to thevibratory device 500 depicted in FIG. 6. The vibratory device includedan outer coil with an impedance of four ohm, which was energized by amicrocontroller, a custom-designed Arduino board. The microcontrollercould energize the outer coil to generate a magnetic field, which wasused to vibrate the suspended magnet. The three-magnet/voice coilassembly was placed inside a body or housing, and was connected to andpowered by a rechargeable battery. The vibratory device could be coupledto a human head, and was capable of generating vibrations that could beconducted via bone to a vestibular system.

In the studies, subjects wore the experimental vibratory device placedbehind an ear against an area overlaying the mastoid bone, such thatvibratory signals generated by the device could be conducted via bone tothe subjects' vestibular systems. Subjects were subjected to variouscondition to induce motion sickness, nausea, and/or other vestibularconditions, and the effects of the vibratory devices were evaluatedbased on information reported by subjects.

For the experiments, the force level of the vibrations produced by thevibratory device was measured with a calibrated Brüel & Kjær (B&K)artificial mastoid (No. 4930) coupled with a B&K sound level meter (No.2209). The vibratory device was inserted in a holder in the B&K,artificial mastoid designed for holding a bone conduction hearing aid. Aforce of eight Newtons was applied on top of the vibrating device, whichsat against the B&K artificial mastoid. Bone conduction levels werequantified with the B&K sound level meter and are expressed as dB re 1dyne (i.e., a force level).

Further information regarding each of the studies are provided below.

Experimental Study I

FIG. 20A depicts a flowchart 1900 of a procedure for a firstexperimental study. Study participants in this first experimental studydid not suffer from a history of vestibular maladies, includingdizziness. During the duration of the study, participants were seated inan office chair and asked to wear the Oculus Rift DK2 virtual realitysystem and a vibratory device, according to the example design describedabove. The vibratory device was held in place with a head strap.

The study was conducted according to the test procedure outlined in FIG.20A. Each participant went through the test procedure multiple times,first with the vibratory device turned off and then with the vibratorydevice turned on. During the tests with the vibratory device turned on,the frequency and/or the force level of the vibratory device was variedto test whether particular frequencies and/or force levels would be moreeffective at treating vestibular conditions associated with using avirtual reality device. During the tests, the order of the frequenciesand/or force levels was randomized between participants. Participantswere also given the opportunity to pause the study at any time torecover from dizziness or other vestibular conditions caused by the useof the virtual reality device.

At 1902, the participant is presented with the visual stimulus 1950depicted in FIG. 20B via the display of the virtual reality device. Thevisual stimulus 1950 includes a disc-shaped region 1956 with a pluralityof spheres 1954. Participants were instructed to focus their attentionon a central sphere 1952 that was of a different hue than the rest ofthe spheres 1954 in the disc-shaped region 1956. The disc-shaped region1956 was designed to represent a three-dimensional space that may beviewed using a virtual reality device, such as the Oculus Rift.

At 1904, the participant initiates a rotation of the spheres 1954 in thedisc-shaped region 1956 about a central point (i.e., the central sphere1952) by pressing a spacebar on a keyboard. Upon pressing the spacebar,the spheres 1954 would begin to spin, gradually accelerating at a rateof 4 degrees/second/second, at 1906. Participants were instructed topress the spacebar again when they felt discomfort or dizziness, atwhich point the angular velocity of the spinning spheres 1954 would berecorded and stored as the “maximum angular velocity” for thatparticipant, at 1908 and 1909. If a particular participant did not pressthe spacebar to indicate discomfort or dizziness, then the angularvelocity of the spheres 1954 would increase until it reached apredefined angular velocity of 90 degrees/second.

At 1910, the angular speed of the image would be reduced to 90% of thespeed before the user's indication (i.e., 90% of the speed recorded asthe “maximum angular velocity”) or, when the participant did not pressthe spacebar, 90% of 90 degrees/second (i.e., 81 degrees/second). Thespheres 1954 are rotated at the reduced speed until the participantpresses the spacebar again to indicate a return of discomfort ordizziness, at 1911, or until a predefined amount of time (e.g., 120seconds) has passed, at 1912. Upon either the participant's indication,at 1911, or the predefined amount of time passing, at 1912, the timethat the participant has viewed the disc-shaped region 1956 at thereduced speed is recorded as the “Duration of Viewing Time.”

For a given participant, the participant was asked to perform the testprocedure first with the vibratory device turned off. The participantwould undergo the test procedure two times, a first time with thespheres 1954 rotating in a clockwise direction and a second time withthe spheres 1954 rotating in a counterclockwise direction. The samewould then be repeated with the vibratory device turned on. Studyparticipants were asked to wear the vibratory device behind their earsand level with the ear canal on a flat part of the mastoid bone.Participants were given time to rest between the clockwise andcounterclockwise tests (e.g. 10-60 seconds), as needed, to recover fromany discomfort or dizziness.

Participants while using the vibratory device were asked to test eithera set of different force levels or a set of different frequencies. Forparticipants that tested different force levels, the frequency of thevibratory signals was kept constant (i.e., at 50 Hz), while the forcelevel was set to 87, 92, 94, 96, 98, 99, 100, and 101 dB re 1 dyne. Forparticipants that tested different frequencies, the power level of thevibratory signals was set to a constant level (i.e., 96.5 dB re 1 dyne)and the frequency was varied between 30 and 75 Hz.

Eighteen participants participated in the study. Approximately one thirdof these participants who volunteered for the study did not experienceany motion sickness from the experiments. These participants watched thevisual stimulus that was presented (FIG. 20B) until the spinning spheres1954 reached 90 degrees/second, and then continued watching the visualstimulus for 120 seconds at a reduced speed. Thesemotion-sickness-resistant participants were instructed to repeat theirexposure to the visual stimulus with the vibratory device turned on totest whether vibrations from the device would induce motion sickness.None of these participants reported that they experienced any negativeside effects during and after using the vibratory device with thevibrations produced by the vibratory device being set to 97 dB re 1 dyneor below.

The experimental data for the remaining eleven participants (i.e., thosethat indicated that they experienced motion sickness or dizziness atsome point during the experimental study) is depicted in FIGS. 21A, 21B,22A, and 22B. For the data points in the graphs depicted in FIGS. 21A,21B, 22A, and 22B, the clockwise and counterclockwise “Maximum AngularVelocity” and “Duration of Viewing Time” were averaged for eachparticipant under each test condition, and the “with vibratory device”data was baseline-normalized based on the “without vibratory device”data (i.e., data collected for a participant while using the vibratorydevice set to a particular frequency and/or force level was normalizedbased on that participant's data while not using the vibratory device).After calculating these ratios for each participant, the ratios of theeleven participants were averaged to arrive at the data point depictedin the graphs shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B.

FIG. 21A depicts a graph 2000 of the average “Duration of Viewing Time”ratios of the eleven participants across a range of different forcelevels. Values greater than one indicate an increase in an amount ofviewing time before discomfort is experienced while using the vibratorydevice versus not using the vibratory device. FIG. 21B shows a graph2002 of the average “Maximum Angular Velocity” ratios of the elevenparticipants across a range of different force levels. Values greaterthan one in FIG. 21B indicate an increase in angular velocity that didnot cause discomfort while using the vibratory device versus not usingthe vibratory device. The experimental data showed that for the elevenparticipants, the vibratory device had a greatest effect when the forcelevel of its vibrations were set to 96 dB re 1 dyne. Based on aninterpolated fit of the data, the “Duration of Viewing Time” and“Maximum Angular Velocity” ratios peaked at 96.5 dB re 1 dyne. “Durationof Viewing Time” and “Maximum Angular Velocity” ratios at force levelsranging from 93 dB to 98 dB were statistically significant differentfrom, and greater than, one, indicating that a vibratory device set tothese force levels would be effective at treating a vestibularcondition.

At 87 dB re 1 dyne, the ratios were not statistically different fromone, indicating that the device would not be effective at treating avestibular condition. At levels around or above 100 dB re 1 dyne, manyparticipants reported feeling worse with the vibratory device turned on.While the threshold of discomfort at these higher force levels wasslightly different among participants, with some reporting discomfort atlevels as low as 99 dB, once that threshold was reached for a particularparticipant, the participant would report that the vibrations made themfeel uncomfortable almost immediately. Participants tested at 102 dB allreported feelings of discomfort, regardless of whether they were usingthe virtual reality system as the vibrations from the vibratory devicealone caused them discomfort.

FIGS. 22A and 22B depict normalized and averaged “Duration of ViewingTime” and “Maximum Angular Velocity” ratios for the eleven participantsacross a range of frequencies. As shown, these results indicated thatthe effectiveness of the experimental vibratory device at mitigating ordelaying the onset of virtual reality sickness does not appear to bedependent on the frequency of the vibratory signals. Nonetheless, thegraphs 2100 and 2102 show greater ratio values from 45 to 65 Hz.

Certain factors may have limited the results of this first experimentalstudy. For example, the angular velocity of the spheres 1954 in thedisc-shaped region 1956 was limited by the visual display system.Specifically, the refresh rate of the Oculus DK2 screen is 90 Hz. Thepanels of the device are organic LED (OLED), with a persistence of 2milliseconds. These factors prevented the rotational speed of thespheres 1954 in the disc-shaped region 1956 from rotating beyondapproximately 90 degrees/second. As the rotational speed was increasedbeyond 90 degrees/second, the virtual reality display would start toflicker. Many test participants reached this upper limit while wearingthe vibratory device, which caused a ceiling effect in the measurements.

Similarly, while viewing the spinning spheres 1954 at the reduced speed,several subjects complained of eyestrain, with no complaints ofdiscomfort or nausea. Thus, participants were also limited in how longthey could watch a rotating disk, which was another factor that led to aceiling effect in the measurement of the effectiveness of theexperimental vibratory in delaying the onset of virtual realitysickness.

Taking these factors into account, this first experimental study showedthat the vibratory device was effective at treating virtual realitysickness at statistically significant levels. From the data shown in thegraphs in FIGS. 20A and 20B, it was shown that variations in force levelwould have a statistically significant effect on the effectiveness ofthe vibratory device. Specifically, it was shown that force levels below93 dB re 1 dyne were not effective at treating vestibular conditions andthat force levels above 100 dB caused discomfort and dizziness thatworsened vestibular conditions; therefore, the data indicated that forcelevels between 93 dB and 98 dB re 1 dyne were more effective at treatingvestibular conditions. On the other hand, the data shown in the graphsin FIGS. 21A and 21B showed that varying vibration frequency had asmaller effect on the effectiveness of the vibratory device at treatingvestibular conditions, as the effectiveness of the vibratory device didnot have a clear trend or peak between 45 Hz to 65 Hz.

Experimental Study II

In a second experimental study, using the results obtained from thefirst experimental study, disclosed above, the effectiveness of theexperimental vibratory device at mitigating or preventing motionsickness experienced by users of the virtual reality game “EVE:Valkyrie” was measured.

“EVE: Valkyrie” is a first-person spaceship shooter game in which aplayer moves around a field of spaceships and space rocks using an Xbox360 handheld controller. The game has been known to induce motionsickness in many players. The game involves flying through “gates”placed in a field of asteroids and spaceships. In addition to movementin the three spatial dimensions, most “gates” require the player torotate around a three-dimensional rotational axis (e.g., a “roll,”“pitch,” or “yaw” axis).

In this study, subjects played the virtual reality game “EVE: Valkyrie”for up to fifteen minutes, using an Oculus Rift CV1 system. For thestudy, participants were instructed to play the game in two sessions, ontwo consecutive days, with and without using the experimental vibratorydevice described above. On the first day of experiments, participantswere asked to play a training mission portion of virtual reality gamefor up to fifteen minutes without using the experimental vibratorydevice. Participants were instructed to stop if they began to feelnauseated before the end point of fifteen minutes. Experienced gamerscould choose to go directly to the mission, bypassing the trainingmission and launching directly into a virtual reality space fight. Onthe second day, the same experimental procedures were followed, but withparticipants wearing the experimental vibratory device, which was set toa frequency of 60 Hz and a force level of 96.5 dB, which were found tobe effective per the results of the first experimental study. The devicewas applied to the skull, behind the right ear and level with the earcanal and onto the flat part of the mastoid, with an applied force ofapproximately 8 Newtons. During the study, any participant who feltdizzy or uncomfortable could stop at any time of their choosing.

Participants were asked to fill out a Motion Sickness AssessmentQuestionnaire (“MSAQ”), approximately ten minutes after they stoppedplaying the game. The MSAQ involves sixteen statements or manifestationsthat help identify and categorize independent descriptors of motionsickness by grouping them into four categories of motion sickness: (1)gastrointestinal, (2) central, (3) peripheral, and (4) sopite. MSAQscores range from 1 (not at all) to 9 (severe) for the sixteen possiblemanifestations of motion sickness. Table 1 shows the sixteen statementsof the MSAQ used to assess motion sickness experienced by theparticipants.

TABLE 1 Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire, administered tenminutes after the end of the Oculus Rift playing experience described inExperimental Study II. MSAQ results, without and with devicerespectively  1. I felt sick to my stomach (G) 2.9 ± 0.6 1.3 ± 0.2  2. Ifelt faint-like (C) 2.7 ± 0.4 1.2 ± 0.1  3. I felt annoyed/irritated (S)2.7 ± 0.4 1.4 ± 0.2  4. I felt sweaty (P) 3.2 ± 0.6 1.6 ± 0.2  5. I feltqueasy (G) 3.1 ± 0.5 1.6 ± 0.3  6. I felt lightheaded (C) 4.7 ± 0.6 1.6± 0.2  7. I felt drowsy (S) 3.5 ± 0.6 1.4 ± 0.2  8. I felt clammy/coldsweat (P) 2.5 ± 0.5 1.08 ± 0.08  9. I felt disoriented (Q) 3.5 ± 0.5 1.5± 0.6 10. I felt tired/fatigued (S) 3.8 ± 0.6 1.3 ± 0.1 11. I feltnauseated (G) 3.3 ± 0.6 1.5 ± 0.2 12. I felt hot/warm (P) 3.8 ± 0.7 1.4± 0.2 13. I felt dizzy (C) 4.1 ± 0.7 1.7 ± 0.2 14. I felt like I wasspinning (C) 3.1 ± 0.5 1.25 ± 0.1  15. I felt as if I may vomit (G) 1.9± 0.4 1.0 ± 0.0 16. I felt uneasy (S) 3.3 ± 0.6 1.5 ± 0.2 Not atall   Severely 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 G: Gastrointestinal P: Peripheral C:Central S: Sopite-related

When participants were asked to engage in play for fifteen minuteswithout wearing the experimental vibratory device on the first day,eleven of the seventeen participants were able to play for the fullfifteen minutes. The duration of play for the remaining six ranged from4:05-14:50 minutes. The average playing time was 13:25 minutes. Bycontrast, when participants wore the experimental vibratory device whileplaying, all 17 participants were able to engage in play for theduration of 15 minutes. Data from the MSAQ was collected and ispresented in Table 1. The scores in the MSAQ range from 1 (not at all)to 9 (severe).

The results of the MSAQ are presented in graphical form in FIGS. 23A and23B. Each graph depicts a ratio of the MSAQ scores obtained while notwearing the device over the MSAQ scored obtained while wearing thedevice. FIG. 23A depicts a plot 2200 that shows the mean scores from theMSAQ across all four categories of motion sickness, and FIG. 23B depictsfour subplots 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208 that show the scores for the fourcategories of motion sickness defined by the MSAQ—specifically, (1)gastrointestinal, (2) central, (3) peripheral, and (4) sopite,respectively. The line 2250 through each graph represents when the MSAQscores with and without using the vibratory device are the same, andtherefore is the line that represents when the vibratory device has noeffect on motion sickness.

As depicted in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the data indicates that the vibratorydevice was effective at treating motion sickness, as all the data pointswere situated below the line 2250. The data points indicated asignificant reduction in the MSAQ score from 9 (severe) to 1 (not atall). Even when broken into the different categories of motion sickness,as shown in plots 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208 in FIG. 23B, the vibratorydevice was significantly effective in each category at treating motionsickness.

Experimental Study III

In a third experimental study, participants were asked to be rear seatpassengers in a four-door sedan and were driven on a segment of roadbased on a fixed 20-minute itinerary. Three road tests were conducted onthe same day, on this set route. During each drive, the participantswere asked to read an article on their smartphone or other smallhandheld device. The start time was recorded, and each participantreported the time at which they first felt first symptoms of motionsickness.

With each participant, a baseline measurement of motion sickness wasestablished by having the participant undergo the drive and read anarticle on his or her smartphone without wearing any type of assistivedevice. After the initial drive, each participant was asked to wear (1)the experimental vibratory device as described herein placed overlayingthe participant's right mastoid bone, or (2) a sound generator thatfaced outwards and was isolated from a participant's head by a rubberpad and that emitted a low frequency tone that provided an auditorylevel equivalent to the experimental vibratory device. The order ofwearing each device was randomized for each participant.

The driving route was a fixed circuitous route with only one stop signat the midway point (i.e., at approximately ten minutes) and no trafficlights. The fixed route took approximately 20 minutes, and thedrive-to-drive variability was less than 10%. Subjects were only testedon the first half of the ride, up to the stop sign. Subjects wereprovided with rests between sessions.

Based on feedback from the participants, the study showed that theparticipants did not experience motion sickness continuously butgenerally did when the vehicle accelerated, decelerated, or made turns.Participants reported motion sickness as a cumulative effect, with thefirst turn inducing mild discomfort, the second turn adding to theeffect of the first turn and so on, until a threshold was reached. Whileusing the experimental vibratory device, participants reported thatduring the accelerations and turns, they felt discomfort, but thisdiscomfort quickly returned to zero once the car went back to a constantspeed, with no effect of accumulated nausea during the successivechanges in the car's acceleration.

FIG. 24 depicts seconds to the initial onset of motion sickness that wasexperienced by participants during the third experimental study. Bar2302 represents the seconds until initial onset of motion sickness withno device, bar 2304 represents the seconds until initial onset of motionsickness with the sound generator, and bar 2306 represents the seconduntil initial onset of motion sickness with the experimental vibratorydevice. As shown, the use of the experimental vibratory device describedherein led to a significant increase in the seconds to onset of motionsickness, at bar 2306. Specifically, the experimental vibratory devicewas found to be effective in that it more than doubled the time to onsetof motion sickness compared to not wearing a device (bar 2302) andwearing a sound generator (bar 2304). The data of this study shows theeffectiveness of the experimental vibratory device at preventing motionsickness in a simulated real-world situation of reading while riding asa passenger in the back seat of a car. None of the subjects who used theexperimental vibratory device reported any feeling of discomfort oncethey got out of the car.

Summary of Experimental Studies and Other Indications

The results from the experimental studies described above show that avibratory device, such as the example vibratory devices disclosedherein, can be effective at treating symptoms of various vestibularconditions. Such a device can have a small profile and be capable ofcoupling to a surface of a subject's head such that vibrations can beconducted via bone (e.g., the skull) to the subject's vestibular system.The experimental vibratory device used in the three experimental studieshas been shown to be effective at mitigating and reducing motion and/orvirtual reality induced motion sickness. The described experiments andresults demonstrate that the effectiveness of the disclosed vibratorydevice in reducing motion sickness is substantially instantaneous, withno overt deleterious side-effects.

Subsequent experiments have shown that the force levels and frequencylevels discovered to be effective herein were also effective at reducingvertigo and nausea brought on by caloric testing conducted at medicalfacilities. For example, for vertigo, individuals who suffered fromchronic or frequent vertigo episodes were asked to wear the experimentalvibratory device and report the effects of wearing the device.Generally, individuals reported less symptoms associated with vertigowhen using the device. As another example, for caloric testing, an ear,nose and throat (“ENT”) physician performed caloric testing on fivesubjects with and without wearing an experimental vibratory device. Whennot wearing the device on a first day, all subjects experienced nauseawith one subject being unable to complete the test due to severe nausea.When wearing the device on a subsequent day, all five subjects reportedsignificantly less nausea, including no nausea, and the subject unableto complete the test the first day was able to complete it wearing thedevice the second day. The tests on both days indicated same levels ofvestibular function, with and without the vibratory device.

The application of vibratory signals to mask signals sent by thevestibular system that induce sickness, also known as vestibularmasking, through the application of bone conducted vibratory signals,can be effective at mitigating numerous vestibular conditions. Forexample, vertigo brought on by a damaged vestibular system can betreated with applied bone-conducted vibratory signals. At times,however, vibratory signals can have adverse reactions if the appliedvibratory signals are suddenly removed (e.g., when the vibratory deviceis turned off). In some embodiments, such as those detailed above, theseadverse reactions can be minimized by gradually reducing the power ofthe applied vibrations over a period (i.e., having a ramp down in power)instead of abruptly turning off the device.

As another example, vestibular masking can be effective in mitigatingmotion sickness that occurs when individuals use virtual realitydevices, such as those disclosed herein. Because virtual reality devicesdo not result in motion sickness at all times, in an embodiment, avibrating device such that those disclosed herein can be operable togenerate vibrations for masking the vestibular system when certainconditions and/or situations associated with inducing sickness aredisplayed and/or presented to a user of the virtual reality device. Thevibrating device may be controlled, for example, by a microcontrollerthat is operable to store specialized instructions for controlling thevibrating element. Such instructions may be stored in onboard memory orin a separate memory. In addition, such instructions are designed tointegrate specialized functions and features into the controller toperform certain functions, methods and processes related to treatingconditions of the vestibular system. In an embodiment, themicrocontroller can be programmed with instructions using a softwaredevelopment kit (“SDK”).

It should be understood that electrical signals to control and/or drivethe generation of vibratory signals may be generated by amicrocontroller based on the stored instructions. These electricalsignals may be communicated between the microcontroller and a vibratorydevice via wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) methods. Further, theelectrical signals may include a stored pattern of operation. Forexample, the stored instructions accessed by the microcontroller may beused by the microcontroller to generate a series of electrical signalsthat are sent to the vibrating element to cause the vibrating element tobe turned “on” or “off” in a pattern that is advantageous to a specificuser based on usage data that has been accumulated and stored in adevice that includes the microcontroller and vibrating element. Onepattern may involve a series of vibrations where the number ofvibrations generated and applied over a time period (e.g., per minute)to a subject may be varied, while a second pattern may include a seriesof vibrations where the force level in a number of vibrations may bevaried. Other types of electrical signals, such as those that may beused to control the force level and frequency of vibrations generated bythe vibrating element, may be sent to the vibratory device from themicrocontroller based on data received from sensors. For example, anacceleration sensor may be included in a portable electronic device(e.g., mobile phone) to sense changes in a user's physical acceleration.In an embodiment, the microcontroller may be operable to receive datafrom the acceleration sensor indicating a type of acceleration that maylead to motion sickness. Accordingly, after receiving such data, themicrocontroller may be operable to generate associated control signalsand send such signals to the vibrating element. The vibrating element,in turn, may be operable to receive such control signals and generatevibrations that can be applied to the proprioceptive vestibular systemin real-time to, for example, to pre-emptively minimize motion sickness.Alternatively, a stored roadmap that represents a path or course thatmay result in a user becoming sick due to motion sickness may be storedin the microcontroller or in the portable device along with GPScircuitry. In an embodiment, as the GPS circuitry indicates that theuser is moving along the path or course and arrives at a position thatmay induce motion sickness, the microcontroller may be operable togenerate associated control signals and send such signals to thevibrating element. The vibrating element, in turn, may be operable toreceive such control signals and generate vibrations that can be appliedto the vestibular system to, for example, to account for the possibilityof motion sickness before the user reaches the position, for example.

It should be noted that several different types of medical tests,including caloric, VNG, and ENG tests are administered by audiologistsand otolaryngologists to test the vestibular function of subjects. As apart of a test, a form of vertigo may be induced in the patient whichmay have the adverse side effect of causing nausea. Vestibular maskingcan be used to reduce the nausea experienced by such patients whileundergoing these tests. Accordingly, the devices described herein may beincluded in a medical testing system that is used to complete suchmedical tests, or, alternatively, may be used (e.g., worn) inconjunction with such medical testing systems to relieve or reduce suchadverse side effects.

In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods described can be usedfor applications not related to treating of vestibular conditions. Forexample, some embodiments of the vibratory device can be used as adevice to carry out haptic communication using suitable communicationchannels. In some instances, a method of communication that is silentand based on haptic sensation may be of use, such as in military orsurveillance conditions. An embodiment of the vibratory device can beused, with suitable adaptations of reduced detectability such asinvisible and inaudible use condition, to allow haptic communicationbetween subjects such as operatives.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure can be implementedaccording to one or more of the following examples.

Example 1

An apparatus, comprising: a vibratory device configured to apply avibratory signal to a portion of a head of a user such that thevibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of theuser and cause a portion of the vestibular system to move in a mannerequivalent to that of a therapeutically effective vibratory signalapplied to an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user, thetherapeutically effective vibratory signal (1) having a frequency lessthan 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and 100 dB re 1 dyne and (2)being therapeutically effective to treat a physiological conditionassociated with the vestibular system.

Example 2

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the vibratory device is engageablewith at least one of: the area overlaying the mastoid bone of the user,an area behind a head of the user, or an area on a forehead of the user.

Example 3

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein, when the vibratory device isengaged with an area of the head other than the area overlaying themastoid bone, the vibratory device is configured to apply the vibratorysignal at a force level that is equal to or less than 14 dB greater thanforce level of the therapeutically effective vibratory signal.

Example 4

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the physiological condition includesat least one of: vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, virtual realitysickness, spatial discordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.

Example 5

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the vibratory device is anelectro-mechanical transducer including: a housing defining a chamber; amagnet disposed within the chamber and configured to oscillate toproduce the vibratory signal; at least one suspension element configuredto suspend the magnet within the chamber such that the magnet canvibrate about an equilibrium position.

Example 6

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the vibratory device is associatedwith a resonant frequency, the apparatus further comprising: a signalsource configured to supply an electrical signal to the vibratingelement to cause the vibrating element to vibrate; and a sensorconfigured to measure information including at least one of: a currentof the electrical signal, a voltage change of the electrical signalacross the vibratory device, a magnetic field generated near thevibratory device, and an acceleration of the vibratory device.

Example 7

The apparatus of Example 6, further comprising a processor configured toadjust a frequency of the electrical signal based on the informationsuch that the electrical signal causes the vibratory device to vibrateat the resonant frequency.

Example 8

The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the force level of thetherapeutically effective vibratory signal is between 93 and 98 dB re 1dyne.

Example 9

An apparatus, comprising: a vibratory device configured to apply a setof vibratory signals to a portion of a head of a user such that the setof vibratory signals can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system ofthe user to treat a physiological condition associated with thevestibular system, the vibratory device associated with a set ofresonant frequencies including a lowest resonant frequency that is lessthan 200 Hz, the set of vibratory signals collectively having an amountof power at the lowest resonant frequency that is greater than an amountof power at remaining resonant frequencies from the set of resonantfrequencies.

Example 10

The apparatus of Example 9, further comprising: a signal generatorconfigured to generate an electrical signal; and an amplifier configuredto amplify the electrical signal to produce an amplified electricalsignal, the vibratory device configured to receive the amplifiedelectrical signal and produce, in response to receiving the amplifiedelectrical signal, the set of vibratory signals.

Example 11

The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the lowest resonant frequency isbetween 50 and 70 Hz.

Example 12

The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the physiological condition includesat least one of: vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, virtual realitysickness, spatial discordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.

Example 13

The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the vibratory device is anelectro-mechanical transducer including: an elongate member having alongitudinal axis; and a magnet configured to oscillate along thelongitudinal axis of the elongate member to produce the set of vibratorysignals, the elongate member extending through an opening of the magnetand configured to reduce oscillations of the magnet along an axis otherthan the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Example 14

The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the vibratory device is anelectro-mechanical transducer including: a spring configured to expandand compress along an axis; and a magnet mounted to the spring andconfigured to oscillate along the axis to produce the set of vibratorysignals, the spring configured to reduce oscillations of the magnetalong an axis other than the axis of the spring.

Example 15

An apparatus, comprising: a vibrating device configured to apply avibratory signal to a portion of a head of a user such that thevibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of theuser to treat a physiological condition associated with the vestibularsystem, the vibrating element including: a housing defining a chamber; amagnet movable within the chamber to produce the vibratory signal; asuspension element configured to suspend the magnet at a position withinthe chamber; and a coil configured to generate a magnetic field to causethe magnet to move about the position.

Example 16

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the magnet is a first magnet, andthe suspension element includes: a second magnet configured to apply aforce to the first magnet in a first direction; and a third magnetconfigured to apply a force to the first magnet in a second directionopposite to the first direction, the first magnet disposed between thesecond magnet and the third magnet in the chamber such that the secondmagnet and the third magnet collectively suspend the first magnet at theposition within the chamber.

Example 17

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the suspension element includes aspring (i) having a first end attached to a portion of the housing and asecond end attached to the magnet and (ii) configured to apply a forceto the magnet to suspend the magnet at the position within the chamber.

Example 18

The apparatus of Example 15, further comprising a mounting plate, themagnet defining an opening that extends from a first end to a second endof the magnet, the second end of the magnet attached to the mountingplate, the suspension element including a spring having a first endattached to a portion of the housing and a second end extending throughthe opening of the magnet and attached to a portion of the mountingplate.

Example 19

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the suspension element includes aspring coupled to the magnet and configured to apply a force to themagnet to suspend the magnet at the position, the spring having a springconstant that is associated with a natural frequency for the magnet thatis less than 200 Hz.

Example 20

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the suspension element includes asolid elastic material that is coupled to the magnet and is configuredto apply a force on the magnet to suspend the magnet at the positionwithin the chamber.

Example 21

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the suspension element isconfigured to reduce movement of the magnet along an axis other than alongitudinal axis of the chamber.

Example 22

The apparatus of Example 15, further comprising an elongate member thatextends along a longitudinal axis of the chamber, the elongate memberextending through an opening in the magnet and configured to reducemovement of the magnet along an axis other than the longitudinal axis ofthe chamber.

Example 23

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the suspension element isconfigured to suspend the magnet to reduce contact between the magnetand the housing.

Example 24

The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the physiological conditionincludes at least one of: vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, virtualreality sickness, spatial discordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.

Example 25

A method, comprising: positioning a vibratory device over an area of ahead of a user; energizing the vibratory device, after the positioning,to apply a vibratory signal to the area such that the vibratory signalcan be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of the user, thevibratory signal configured to cause a portion of the vestibular systemto move in a manner equivalent to that of a vibratory signal (1) appliedto an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user and having (2) afrequency less than 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and 100 dB re 1dyne; and treating, in response to energizing the vibratory device, aphysiological condition associated with the vestibular system.

Example 26

The method of Example 25, wherein the physiological condition includesat least one of: vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, virtual realitysickness, spatial discordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.

Example 27

The method of Example 25, further comprising securing the vibratorydevice over the area of the head using a rigid or elastic headband.

Example 28

The method of Example 25, wherein the vibratory device includes amagnet, the energizing includes vibrating the magnet to generate thevibratory signal.

Example 29

The method of Example 25, wherein the energizing includes: generating anelectrical signal; amplifying the electrical signal to produce anamplified electrical signal; and supplying the amplified electricalsignal to the vibratory device to cause the vibratory device to generatethe vibratory signal.

Example 30

The method of Example 25, the energizing including supplying anelectrical signal to the vibrating element to cause the vibratingelement to vibrate, the method further comprising: measuring, using asensor, information including at least one of: a current of theelectrical signal, a voltage change of the electrical signal across thevibratory device, a magnetic field generated near the vibratory device,and an acceleration of the vibratory device; and adjusting a frequencyof the electrical signal based on the information such that theelectrical signal causes the vibratory device to vibrate at a resonantfrequency associated with the vibratory device.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a vibratory device configured to apply avibratory signal to a portion of a head of a user such that thevibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of theuser and cause a portion of the vestibular system to move in a mannerequivalent to that of a therapeutically effective vibratory signalapplied to an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user, thetherapeutically effective vibratory signal (1) having a frequency lessthan 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and 100 dB re 1 dyne and (2)being therapeutically effective to treat a physiological conditionassociated with the vestibular system.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the vibratory device is engageable with at least one of: thearea overlaying the mastoid bone of the user, an area behind a head ofthe user, or an area on a forehead of the user.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein, when the vibratory device is engaged with an area ofthe head other than the area overlaying the mastoid bone, the vibratorydevice is configured to apply the vibratory signal at a force level thatis equal to or less than 14 dB greater than force level of thetherapeutically effective vibratory signal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the physiological condition includes at least one of: vertigo,dizziness, motion sickness, virtual reality sickness, spatialdiscordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the vibratory device is an electro-mechanical transducerincluding: a housing defining a chamber; a magnet disposed within thechamber and configured to oscillate to produce the vibratory signal; atleast one suspension element configured to suspend the magnet within thechamber such that the magnet can vibrate about an equilibrium position.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibratory device is associatedwith a resonant frequency, the apparatus further comprising: a signalsource configured to supply an electrical signal to the vibratingelement to cause the vibrating element to vibrate; and a sensorconfigured to measure information including at least one of: a currentof the electrical signal, a voltage change of the electrical signalacross the vibratory device, a magnetic field generated near thevibratory device, and an acceleration of the vibratory device.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, further comprising a processor configured toadjust a frequency of the electrical signal based on the informationsuch that the electrical signal causes the vibratory device to vibrateat the resonant frequency.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theforce level of the therapeutically effective vibratory signal is between93 and 98 dB re 1 dyne.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: a vibrating deviceconfigured to apply a vibratory signal to a portion of a head of a usersuch that the vibratory signal can be conducted via bone to a vestibularsystem of the user to treat a physiological condition associated withthe vestibular system, the vibrating element including: a housingdefining a chamber; a magnet movable within the chamber to produce thevibratory signal; a suspension element configured to suspend the magnetat a position within the chamber; and a coil configured to generate amagnetic field to cause the magnet to move about the position.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the magnet is a first magnet, and thesuspension element includes: a second magnet configured to apply a forceto the first magnet in a first direction; and a third magnet configuredto apply a force to the first magnet in a second direction opposite tothe first direction, the first magnet disposed between the second magnetand the third magnet in the chamber such that the second magnet and thethird magnet collectively suspend the first magnet at the positionwithin the chamber.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the suspensionelement includes a spring (i) having a first end attached to a portionof the housing and a second end attached to the magnet and (ii)configured to apply a force to the magnet to suspend the magnet at theposition within the chamber.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising a mounting plate, the magnet defining an opening that extendsfrom a first end to a second end of the magnet, the second end of themagnet attached to the mounting plate, the suspension element includinga spring having a first end attached to a portion of the housing and asecond end extending through the opening of the magnet and attached to aportion of the mounting plate.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thesuspension element includes a spring coupled to the magnet andconfigured to apply a force to the magnet to suspend the magnet at theposition, the spring having a spring constant that is associated with anatural frequency for the magnet that is less than 200 Hz.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the suspension element includes a solidelastic material that is coupled to the magnet and is configured toapply a force on the magnet to suspend the magnet at the position withinthe chamber.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the suspensionelement is configured to reduce movement of the magnet along an axisother than a longitudinal axis of the chamber.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising an elongate member that extends along alongitudinal axis of the chamber, the elongate member extending throughan opening in the magnet and configured to reduce movement of the magnetalong an axis other than the longitudinal axis of the chamber.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the suspension element is configured tosuspend the magnet to reduce contact between the magnet and the housing.18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the physiological conditionincludes at least one of: vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, virtualreality sickness, spatial discordance, sopite syndrome, or nausea.
 19. Amethod, comprising: positioning a vibratory device over an area of ahead of a user; energizing the vibratory device, after the positioning,to apply a vibratory signal to the area such that the vibratory signalcan be conducted via bone to a vestibular system of the user, thevibratory signal configured to cause a portion of the vestibular systemto move in a manner equivalent to that of a vibratory signal (1) appliedto an area overlaying a mastoid bone of the user and having (2) afrequency less than 200 Hz and a force level between 90 and 100 dB re 1dyne; and treating, in response to energizing the vibratory device, aphysiological condition associated with the vestibular system.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, the energizing including supplying an electricalsignal to the vibrating element to cause the vibrating element tovibrate, the method further comprising: measuring, using a sensor,information including at least one of: a current of the electricalsignal, a voltage change of the electrical signal across the vibratorydevice, a magnetic field generated near the vibratory device, and anacceleration of the vibratory device; and adjusting a frequency of theelectrical signal based on the information such that the electricalsignal causes the vibratory device to vibrate at a resonant frequencyassociated with the vibratory device.